In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, relationships between drivers are often as heated as the races themselves. Haas team principal Guenther Steiner recently offered insight into why Max Verstappen might avoid pairing up with his British rival Lando Norris on the same team—a pairing that could bring both thrill and friction to the F1 paddock.

In a recent interview, Steiner remarked that Verstappen’s current setup at Red Bull provides him with an ideal environment to dominate. The Dutchman has built a solid relationship with his team, and his position as the clear lead driver allows him to operate without the internal rivalries that can complicate a championship run. Pairing him with Norris, a charismatic young talent from McLaren, could be exciting but also disruptive to Verstappen’s controlled and successful trajectory.

Steiner noted that while Verstappen and Norris enjoy a well-documented friendship off the track, the dynamics would be very different if they were competing under the same roof. “Friendship is one thing,” Steiner commented, “but when you are competing in the same car, everything changes.” He suggested that the intense competition and natural ego among F1 drivers would quickly put any friendship to the test.

The crux of Steiner’s observation, however, lies in the financial and strategic implications of such a partnership. Verstappen is currently one of the highest-paid drivers in Formula 1, with Red Bull heavily invested in his continued success. Red Bull’s focus on him as their clear No. 1 driver is central to their strategy, allowing Verstappen to receive optimal resources, car setups, and team support. Bringing Norris into the same garage could create a situation where Red Bull would need to divide its focus—something that could detract from Verstappen’s advantage and potentially lead to a costly imbalance.

Beyond internal dynamics, Steiner hinted that the prospect of Verstappen and Norris on the same team could increase operational costs. Verstappen’s salary alone is substantial, and adding a driver of Norris’s caliber would raise financial stakes significantly. In today’s cost-capped era of Formula 1, teams must balance their driver choices carefully, and Steiner is skeptical about the feasibility of financing such a potent lineup.

Ultimately, Steiner’s remarks underscore the unique challenges that come with managing top-tier talent in Formula 1. While Verstappen and Norris on the same team could make for incredible racing and dramatic storylines, Steiner suggests that the cost—both financially and competitively—would likely be too great for Red Bull or any top team to afford.