Guenther Steiner, former team principal of the Haas Formula 1 team, has stated that Mercedes’ need to sign Max Verstappen has decreased, as the Brackley team may have found ‘the next Max Verstappen’ in Kimi Antonelli.
The future of Verstappen in F1 has been the subject of speculation recently, especially given Red Bull’s difficulties in staying competitive against Mercedes in the 2026 season. The Dutch driver had been linked to the team led by Toto Wolff and, more recently, to McLaren.
In an episode of the podcast Up To Speed, Steiner commented on the realistic options that Verstappen has if he decides to leave his current team. ‘A few days ago, I would have said that a move to McLaren would be a lateral step, but after the Hungarian Grand Prix, maybe that’s no longer the case,’ Steiner explained.
Additionally, Steiner pointed out that Red Bull remains one of the most competitive teams, highlighting that, although it may not be at its best, it is still one of the big names on the grid. ‘The seats at Ferrari are already occupied; at Mercedes, I believe they have found their successor,’ he concluded.
In comparison to McLaren, Steiner noted that Red Bull has the advantage of having its own engine, while McLaren is a customer team of Mercedes. This gives them a significant advantage in the current competitive landscape.
For Verstappen, the possibility of a move to McLaren is in doubt, as for him, the priority will remain joining a team that allows him to be among the best in the championship.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
