Guenther Steiner suggests Max Verstappen is now regretting his decision to decline a Mercedes drive offer. This assessment comes as Red Bull Racing navigates a challenging 2026 Formula 1 season, marked by significant performance issues.
Verstappen, a four-time world champion, is currently under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season. However, his agreement includes performance-based exit clauses.
Reports indicate growing dissatisfaction within Red Bull’s management regarding Verstappen’s performance or conduct during the current campaign. The team’s 2026 car has struggled for competitiveness, with internal analysis placing it as potentially the fourth-fastest on the grid.
Verstappen has openly expressed frustration with the 2026 technical regulations and the car’s performance. He notably described the racing as a ‘joke’ following the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this season.
His season has included a qualifying crash in Australia and a spin at the British Grand Prix, both attributed to issues with the car’s rear wing. These incidents highlight the difficulties Red Bull has faced in adapting to the new regulations.
A critical exit clause in Verstappen’s contract allows him to leave Red Bull if he falls outside the top two positions in the Drivers’ Championship by the mid-season break. Currently, he is seventh, 78 points adrift of second place, making it mathematically impossible to meet this condition before the break.
Despite the ongoing speculation, Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has affirmed the driver’s loyalty to Red Bull. Vermeulen stated that while exit clauses exist, they have never been exercised, and the intention is for Verstappen to remain with the team.
Mercedes, meanwhile, has demonstrated a significant performance advantage in the 2026 season with their W17 car. The team has secured seven wins, 12 podiums, and nine pole positions as of the British Grand Prix.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has consistently stated his commitment to the team’s current driver lineup of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Wolff previously confirmed discussions with Verstappen’s management regarding a potential move. However, he has since dismissed the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes for the 2027 season, citing satisfaction with his existing drivers.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher claimed that Mercedes did present an offer to Verstappen, but its financial terms were reportedly unattractive. This could have been a strategic move by Mercedes to avoid pairing Antonelli with another top-tier driver.
Steiner, who transitioned from Haas Team Principal to CEO of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team for 2026, has also commented on Verstappen’s broader outlook. He previously predicted Verstappen would remain with Red Bull for 2026 to evaluate the new regulations before making a decision for 2027.
Steiner has also publicly disagreed with Verstappen’s criticism of the 2026 F1 cars, suggesting that the new technology is adaptable and that Verstappen may be unaccustomed to not driving the leading car.
‘You know, we always have opinions about everything, but where I stand on it, I think it’s a new technology. I think the racing was pretty good. Uh, obviously you know people like Max, maybe don’t like change, and obviously he’s not used to not being in one of the best cars. So that doesn’t help his mood to like the new regulation.’
The current situation at Red Bull, coupled with Mercedes’ strong performance, provides context for Steiner’s assertion regarding Verstappen’s potential regret over past opportunities. Speculation continues regarding Verstappen’s long-term future beyond the current season.
