Guenther Steiner believes Max Verstappen may already regret not taking a move to Mercedes when the door was open. The former Formula 1 team principal said that window has now closed, and he does not see a realistic path to the switch anymore.
Verstappen’s long-term future remains one of the biggest topics in Formula 1 as Red Bull Racing’s form has come under scrutiny. Ongoing links to Mercedes, and even McLaren, have kept speculation alive about whether the four-time world champion could eventually leave Milton Keynes.
Why Steiner thinks the chance is gone
Speaking on the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner said Verstappen was considered as an alternative when Mercedes was negotiating George Russell’s contract. He suggested Verstappen was unsure at the time and was persuaded to stay put and wait for the new regulations.
“Back when Mercedes was negotiating with George, Max might have been considered as an alternative,” Steiner recalled. “I think Max was uncertain about what the future held, and in the end, the opportunity slipped by. He was convinced to stay and wait for the new regulations, but now it’s not just a little late, it’s simply too late.”
| Driver | Current Situation | Steiner’s View |
|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | Still linked with a possible move away from Red Bull | The Mercedes opportunity has passed |
| George Russell | Mercedes was negotiating his contract | Was part of the opening that might have made room for Verstappen |
| Kimi Antonelli | Highly rated young driver at Mercedes | Part of the current balance Steiner says Mercedes would not want to upset |
Steiner also said he is sure Verstappen has regrets about missing the opportunity. He argued that Mercedes already has “a rising superstar and a very capable driver in George,” making a costly move for Verstappen harder to justify.
Why Mercedes may not want to change its line-up
Steiner added that the only realistic route for Verstappen would be if Russell left. Even then, he said Verstappen would bring a much higher price tag and could unsettle Kimi Antonelli, which is why he believes Toto Wolff would avoid that move.
He also suggested Verstappen’s style might not suit Mercedes’ culture. “If he were at Mercedes and behaved like that, they’d immediately say, ‘That’s not how we operate here,’” Steiner said.
Despite all of that, Steiner does not believe Verstappen is about to walk away from Red Bull. His view is that the team now has the responsibility to give him a car that can fight consistently at the front, rather than expecting a late move to Mercedes to solve the situation.
