Steiner believes it's good that Verstappen does not have the fastest car in F1

Guenther Steiner has seen a lot in his long career, but the way Max Verstappen started at the Dutch Grand Prix has nevertheless amazed him. He mentioned this in the GPblog podcast.

Max Verstappen has regularly amazed the world with his driving talent, Zandvoort was another example of this. The Dutchman passed Lando Norris at the start, then seemed to lose control of his Red Bull Racing car entirely, but miraculously managed to regain control.

Steiner enjoyed the start of the Dutch Grand Prix

Guenther Steiner saw it in the paddock and reflects on it a day later in the GPblog podcast F1 Today: “Yes, I think it was the most exciting start this year, in my opinion, because what he did there was like, 'wow.' It was amazing'.”

A few laps later, Norris passed Verstappen again, but as the Italian says: “Obviously, I think we all knew he cannot keep it there, but at least he tries, he never gives up, which is a good thing. But the start was an event in itself, because it was like, 'wow.' You're almost losing it as well”

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in battle

Compliments for McLaren

In the end, McLaren - in this case Oscar Piastri - won the Dutch Grand Prix without really being tested by Red Bull Racing. The differences are too big for that nowadays; where Red Bull dominated for years, McLaren is now in charge.

"I think it's a good thing that nobody can stay dominating,” Steiner says about this shift.

“When Lewis won, how many years? Seven, eight years? Eight years of domination of Mercedes. People were pretty bored from that one.

"Red Bull had quite a few years as well. Three, four years. They had quite a good domination. And now it's the time of McLaren.”

Steiner praises McLaren for the way they built their car.

“I would say McLaren has done a very good job with this regulation to get a car which works everywhere, it seems like now. They always find a balance.

"They are just faster than anybody else. But their position will change as well. At some stage, somebody will be faster than McLaren. But it's always cyclical.”

That Verstappen currently doesn't have the best car, Steiner also considers a plus.

“I think it's good for Max as well that he doesn't have the best car, he has to fight for it because... we see the best getting out of him.”

"I always say, Max actually enjoys a fight. Because otherwise, he would be known as the guy which won the championships in a dominant car.

"And then it's like, it isn't worth as much as when you have to fight for something.

“But he is able to win races. He won races this year in a car which for sure is not the best car out there.”

Steiner as a guest on GPblog

Guenther Steiner was in Zandvoort last weekend to analyse the Dutch Grand Prix for German RTL+.

Before the former Haas F1 team boss leaves the Netherlands again, he first attended the GPblog studio, where a special edition of F1 Today was recorded.

This broadcast can be listened to later today via your favourite podcast provider.