​Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has questioned why Mercedes would pursue a deal to sign four-time world champion Max Verstappen, suggesting that Toto Wolff is “too smart” to make such a bold, destabilising move for the team. Verstappen’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, with the Dutch driver voicing his displeasure not only with the newly revised regulation cars but also with the performance and reliability of his Red Bull machinery.
Following a rear-wing mechanical failure at the British Grand Prix, Verstappen was highly vocal on the team radio about the RB22’s shortcomings, underscoring ongoing concerns about reliability. This incident has fed rumours that the 2021 and 2022 champion could be drawn to teams such as Mercedes or McLaren, prompting widespread chatter about his next career step. In a discussion on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner offered a candid assessment of why such a move might not make strategic sense for Mercedes, arguing that there is little incentive for the Brackley outfit to destabilise its current driver lineup.
“But I mean, where is he going? If he doesn’t like Red Bull, there are options, but they don’t have the funds to pay him the depth of wealth he would command, and they also don’t have the machinery that would satisfy him,” Steiner explained. “Why would Mercedes take him? Mercedes already have a new emerging superstar and an excellent driver in George Russell.” Steiner went on to question the financial and strategic logic of importing Verstappen, noting that the Dutchman would command a substantial outlay and potential disruption within the team. “The only way Max would come in is if George leaves,” he argued, highlighting the cost differential between Verstappen and Russell and suggesting that such a move could unsettle Kimi Raikkonen—before the alignment of drivers and team culture is fully established. “Why would he do that? And Toto is too smart to do that, in my opinion, and it costs a lot more,” Steiner concluded.
As for Verstappen’s current form and standing, the Dutch driver had been in contention for the drivers’ championship during the 2025 season, ultimately conceding the title to McLaren’s Lando Norris. In the 2026 season, Verstappen sits in seventh place in the standings with 76 points from the first nine rounds. Mercedes driver Kimmi Antonelli, meanwhile, leads the standings with 179 points. The landscape at the front of the grid remains fluid, with teams reassessing their lineups and long-term strategies as the season unfolds.
For more Motorsport.com coverage and in-depth analyses, readers can visit the site to explore ongoing updates about Verstappen, Mercedes, and the evolving dynamics across F1 as teams weigh the balance between performance, stability, and long-term strategic goals. This piece aims to provide context on Steiner’s perspective while examining the broader implications for potential driver movements in the sport.