The world of Formula 1 remains attentive to the statements of Guenther Steiner, former team principal of Haas, who has emphasized that Mercedes may have left behind the need to sign Max Verstappen. Steiner suggests that the Brackley team has found a new prospect in Kimi Antonelli, considered the next star to follow.
Rumors about Verstappen’s future have been constant, especially after Red Bull is finding difficulties in staying on top in the 2026 season. Speculation about a possible move for the Dutchman to Mercedes or McLaren has caught the attention of fans and experts.
In a recent interview on the episode of the podcast Up To Speed, Steiner analyzed the realistic options for Verstappen if he decides to leave the Milton Keynes team. He argues that the driver is looking for an opportunity that offers better performance than what he currently has with Red Bull.
Steiner believes that Verstappen’s options are limited, as most positions at the top teams, such as Ferrari and Mercedes, are already filled. He asserts that, with Antonelli’s rise, perhaps Mercedes no longer has the same need to sign Verstappen as before.
The director also highlighted the value of Red Bull’s own engines as an advantage over McLaren, which relies on external power units. Thus, the landscape for Verstappen becomes even more complicated as he seeks the best opportunity in a highly competitive championship.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
