Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has predicted that Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull Racing, citing a shortage of viable alternatives in Formula 1.
Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast on July 8, 2026, Steiner explained that top teams like Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari have already secured their driver lineups, leaving the four-time world champion with limited choices unless he accepts a significant pay cut.
Verstappen's Internal Challenges
According to Steiner, Verstappen's biggest issues are within his own team rather than external contract negotiations.
"I think his bigger problem at the moment is with Red Bull, because of what happened in the last two races," Steiner said.
"Of course he doesn't like the regulations, we don't need to repeat that again. He is not happy with the engine rules and things like that," he added.
Steiner also commented on the recent Silverstone race, suggesting that Formula 1 authorities could have managed engine regulations more effectively to reduce visible performance fluctuations.
"They could perhaps have been a bit more drastic at Silverstone by lowering the power a bit further," Steiner explained.
"Then you would have had less of that yo-yo effect. It was visible, but not very bad.
Was it beautiful? Not really.
But was it bad? Not really either," he stated.
Limited Market Options
When asked about a potential departure from Red Bull, Steiner questioned where Verstappen could realistically go given his high salary expectations and performance demands.
"Where is he going? If he doesn't like Red Bull anymore, then I don't think there are many places.
There are places he can go, but they don't have the money to pay him and don't have the car he wants," Steiner said.
Steiner ruled out Mercedes as a logical destination because the team currently leads the world championship with Kimi Antonelli alongside George Russell.
"Why would Mercedes take him?" Steiner asked.
"Mercedes has the next superstar and a very good driver in George. Why would you spend more money to bring Max in?"
he said, referring to Antonelli.
Steiner noted that an opening at Mercedes would only occur if Russell left, but such a move could disrupt the team's internal balance and financial structure.
"The only way Max would come is if George leaves. But Max costs a lot more than George and could perhaps unbalance Kimi.
Why would you do that? Toto is in my opinion too smart to do that.
It costs a lot more.
And no matter how much money they have, they also like to keep it for themselves," Steiner explained.
Evaluating other competitive teams, Steiner noted that McLaren is stable with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari is locked with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
"McLaren is in my opinion pretty good with Lando and Oscar," Steiner said. "And we all know how Ferrari stands, at least for next year," he stated.
According to Steiner, a transfer would require Verstappen to forfeit most of his salary, though existing driver contracts across the grid remain a major hurdle.
"Even then I don't just think there is someone who will take him, because they all have contracts running.
They first have to get rid of one of their current drivers," Steiner explained.
"If Max really wants to do that, then it's worth a try. He would have a chance, I'm not saying he wouldn't have a chance.
But otherwise I think it will be difficult," Steiner declared.
Steiner suggested that Verstappen might regret passing up an earlier opportunity to join Mercedes during past negotiations.
"Absolutely, I'm sure he regrets that," Steiner stated.
"At that time, when Mercedes was negotiating with George, Max could probably have been the alternative," he said regarding the 2025 market context.
Verstappen ultimately chose to stay at Red Bull to wait out the new regulations, a decision Steiner believes has now complicated his future flexibility.
"I think Max wasn't sure what would happen in the future. Then it slipped away.
The opportunity was there then and there. He was convinced to stay where he was and waited for the new regulations.
Now it seems too late. Not a little bit too late, but just too late," the former team principal said.
Consequently, Steiner expects the Dutch driver to continue with his current team and focus on internal development.
"He stays. That's my opinion.
He stays," Steiner said clearly.
"What he needs to do is try to motivate his people so they give him the car he needs.
The car wouldn't have been bad if things hadn't gone wrong with the rear wing. In terms of performance it was good.
He wanted a new engine, but the car seemed on its way to a podium," he explained.
Addressing Verstappen's frequent heated radio communications, Steiner concluded that Red Bull staff are accustomed to his frustration and remain motivated by his track record.
"At Red Bull everyone knows Max. They know he has those outbursts and then comes back wanting to win races.
He has won a lot for them. The people close to him know why he is like that.
He is disappointed because he is not winning," Steiner concluded.
