Max Verstappen Slams Guenther Steiner After Criticism of 2021 Championship with Hamilton
Max Verstappen has hit back at Guenther Steiner following comments the Haas team principal made about the contentious 2021 Formula 1 World Championship battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Steiner recently sparked a reaction when he suggested that Verstappen’s title win, which came in dramatic and controversial fashion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, was “not the way a champion should win” and questioned the integrity of the final race.
In a recent interview, Steiner discussed the dramatic events of the 2021 season, which saw Verstappen and Hamilton go head-to-head for the title, culminating in a chaotic and disputed finish at the Yas Marina Circuit. The race’s controversial ending, where the FIA decided to allow only a partial number of lapped cars to un-lap themselves before a final-lap showdown, led to accusations of favoritism towards Verstappen and suggestions that the title was unfairly awarded.
Steiner, who is known for his candid and often blunt remarks, was critical of how the situation played out, stating that the manner in which Verstappen won the title left a “bad taste” in his mouth. He went on to suggest that a true champion wouldn’t want to win a title under such circumstances and expressed concern that the result might not be fully respected in the long term.
Max Verstappen didn’t take kindly to Steiner’s comments and responded sharply during a recent press briefing. “Guenther can say whatever he wants, but it’s clear he doesn’t understand what happened in Abu Dhabi,” Verstappen said. “I didn’t make the rules, and I didn’t decide how the race would end. If someone should be critical, it’s the people who created those rules, not the drivers who were fighting for the title.”
The Dutchman continued, reiterating his view that he had earned the 2021 title through consistent performance over the course of the season. “I fought hard all year, and I never backed down. To suggest I didn’t deserve it is disrespectful, not just to me, but to the team who worked so hard for that moment,” Verstappen added.
Verstappen also pointed out that the controversy surrounding the final race should not overshadow the fact that he and Hamilton delivered an epic, memorable season of racing. “In the end, it was an incredible season, and I don’t think anyone can deny that. We gave the fans something special, and that’s what matters.”
Despite the tension, Verstappen made it clear that he wasn’t looking for any more drama and would prefer to focus on the current season, where he’s been dominant once again, but his fiery response to Steiner’s comments highlights the lingering bitterness over that unforgettable 2021 season.