Steiner responds to Mick Schumacher criticism after ‘f***ing destroyed car’ rant

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    Guenther Steiner has swatted aside criticism of his angry rant aimed at axed F1 driver Mick Schumacher.

    Haas chief Steiner's brutal treatment of Schumacher features heavily on the latest season of the Netflix's hit Drive to Survive series.

    The young German talent – son of F1 icon Michael – was replaced by his more experienced compatriot Nico Hulkenberg for the 2023 season after failing to make an impact during his two seasons at Haas.

    Schumacher made catastrophic errors as he failed to cope in the furnace of F1, and watched the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix from the paddock after signing a deal to become Mercedes' new reserve team driver.

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    And eccentric Haas team principal Steiner, who has become a box-office figure on Drive to Survive, never minced his words when assessing his former driver's performance.

    After a damaging crash at last year's Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Steiner exclaims: "We give him a year to learn, what does he do on the second day? He f***ing destroys the car, just because the other guy is faster."

    Steiner's stinging analysis drew some criticism from F1 fans who tuned into the show, as an under-pressure Schumacher ultimately wilted under the Italian's demands.

    Did Guenther Steiner go too far with his criticism of Mick Schumacher? Let us know in the comments below

    But Steiner has reiterated that he is "not ashamed" of his treatment of Schumacher, insisting fans should take what was said at a point of heightened tension at surface-level.

    "I didn't watch it but I made the comment," he told reporters in Bahrain. "In the heat of the moment I sometimes say things, but then you think back a few hours later. Obviously Drive to Survive shows the world the most tricky moments and that's what the show needs to do.

    "I mean what was said was said, I didn't think it would make it, but it was decided not to take it out because we have nothing to hide. It is what it is – I'm not ashamed of it.

    "As I said, I can explain it as in the heat of the moment in the races you say of things I wouldn't say now, for example. Things like this happen in racing so we shouldn't go too deep into it to analyse my mental state."

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