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.
