Abby Steiner Sues Puma and Mercedes F1 Over Shoe Design Allegedly Ending Her Career
"The lawsuit alleges that shoes with carbon fiber plate and/or nitrofoam technology caused multiple foot injuries ending her sprinting career."
American track athlete Abby Steiner filed a lawsuit on April 24 in Middlesex County Superior Court, Massachusetts, naming Puma and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team as defendants. The case centers on claims that specific shoe designs—incorporating carbon fiber plates and/or nitrofoam technology—caused multiple foot injuries that ultimately ended her sprinting career.
Steiner, a two-time world champion and four-time NCAA champion, alleges that the shoe designs altered foot and ankle mechanics during running, significantly increasing her risk of injury.
The lawsuit specifically cites four models: the Deviate Nitro Elite 2, Deviate Nitro Elite 3, evoSpeed Tokyo Nitro, and evoSPEED Tokyo Nitro 400M, along with other shoes featuring similar technology.
Mercedes' involvement is limited to providing technical engineering insights for track spikes. Puma began sponsoring Steiner in 2022. The lawsuit states that Steiner wore the shoes expecting them to be safe for professional competition.
"She announced in August 2025 she was stepping back from running."
By 2025, Steiner had undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation for her foot injuries. In August 2025, she publicly announced she was stepping back from the sport.
The lawsuit includes counts of negligent products liability, failure to warn, and breach of warranty.