Former Formula 1 team boss Guenther Steiner believes Max Verstappen might have considered a move to Mercedes. Steiner shared his thoughts on this during the Red Flags podcast.
The Mercedes driver lineup for 2025 has been confirmed as George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. However, for 2026, Toto Wolff hints that talks with Verstappen are still possible. Steiner thinks if he were Verstappen, he would be open to joining Mercedes.
Steiner: ‘We all know that Max wanted to go to Mercedes’
“I think there is a good chance of that happening. We all know that Verstappen wanted to go to Mercedes. And at the moment, he is not happy where he is,” said Steiner in the podcast. Verstappen currently has an RB20 with which he cannot – as in 2023 – structurally fight for victories.
In 2026, the engine regulations will be overhauled. This is, therefore, an opportunity for all F1 teams to build a car with which they can win. Steiner thinks that Verstappen might have a better chance of winning a world title at Mercedes than at Red Bull. “Max will have a lot of information about where the Red Bull engine programme is next year. Max will have a lot of information about where the Mercedes programme is next year if Toto tries to lure him there. Then he can make a decision not [based] on hope,” Steiner concluded.
Fans might wonder if this could really happen.
With new engine rules in 2026, every team has a shot at creating a winning car. Steiner believes Verstappen would get more info about both Red Bull and Mercedes engines by then. If Toto Wolff tries to bring him over, Max could decide based on solid facts, not just hope.
What do you think? Would Max be better off at Mercedes or should he stick with Red Bull?
