Despite all the rumors about a move to Mercedes, Max Verstappen will also drive for Red Bull Racing in 2026, as Helmut Marko recently confirmed. Now F1 expert Günther Steiner has explained in an exclusive interview with RTL/NTV and Sport.de why Verstappen will also stay with the weakening Formula 1 racing team next year.
Within the wild speculation about his future and a possible move to Mercedes, Max Verstappen has never really been looked into the cards in the past few weeks and months. Of course, it was actually only: the four-time Formula 1 world champion wants to sit in the fastest car.
But who actually has the best package for 2026? This question, which is not to be answered, is, according to TV expert and ex-F1 team boss Günther Steiner, the reason why Verstappen has initially decided to stay at Red Bull Racing.
“I think the decisive point is that he does not know which team is strong in the next season. Change now and sign a three -year contract with a racing team … And then he may be sitting in the wrong car next year: this risk was too great for him,” said Steiner in the exclusive interview with RTL/NTV and sport.de. “Then he said that he would rather stay with Red Bull and can then get out of his contract if the car is not running at the end of next year.”
Steiner has no doubt that a change is also possible after the 2026 season, although Verstappen’s contract is actually officially dated to 2028. “I am sure that he can get out. He is the best driver and the best driver gives the market. So he also said: ‘I will stay when I get out next year’,” Steiner speculated on the decision of the Dutchman, the Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko recently RTL/NTV and sport.de confirmed.
Steiner: Red Bull criticism at “high level”
But is the whereabouts a good move? According to Steiner, this cannot yet be estimated. “You don’t know how strong the competition is. You know Red Bull, they have a good team. But among the other teams there is no longer a bad one,” said the RTL expert and added: “It is so much new in the coming year: the chassis, the aerodynamics, everything. You just don’t know who does the best job. You just have to wait.”
According to the former Haas team boss, the Red Bull Racing between 2005 and 2008, the Austrian team can certainly calculate something for the coming year. “I think they have chances. They have a good infrastructure, they have good people. Everyone has the same chance. Red Bull is not a bad team,” he emphasized, recalling that in 2025 everything wasn’t bad.
“You shouldn’t forget that Max Verstappen has already won races this year. You complain at a high level. Of course, you want more because you are used to having more,” said the F1 insider and added: “Next year you will certainly be among the best; I think there will be several good teams.”
In the current season, Red Bull is only fourth best strength in the field behind McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes. According to Steiner, it will stay that way. “To improve the current car a lot becomes difficult because all teams are already working on the next year.