Steiner reveals why Verstappen snubbed Mercedes and stayed with Red Bull – Despite the chaos that’s become synonymous with Red Bull Racing in 2025, Max Verstappen has opted to remain exactly where he is for the coming season. Yes, really. No switch to Mercedes, no shock move to Ferrari, and certainly no break from racing to focus on his sim career. While the Formula One paddock has been alight with gossip, hints, and the occasional private jet tracked via satellite, it turns out Max is staying put, for now.
Helmut Marko recently confirmed that Verstappen will continue racing for Red Bull in 2026, but it’s former Haas boss and all-around straight-talker Guenther Steiner who has now offered the clearest explanation yet as to why. Speaking exclusively to Germany’s RTL, Steiner lifted the lid on Verstappen’s decision-making process in a manner only he can.
Too much uncertainty, too little gain
The pivotal issue, according to Steiner, boils down to a very simple question: who’s actually going to have the best car in 2026?
“That’s the crucial point,” Steiner said.
“Nobody knows. Everything’s changing next year—the chassis, the aero, the engines—so how can Max possibly know which team will get it right? Signing a long-term deal now and risking being stuck in a lemon? Not worth it.”
Rather than roll the dice on a shiny new Mercedes contract or try his luck with Ferrari’s eternal rebuild, Verstappen has chosen to ride out the storm at Red Bull. As Steiner points out, the Dutchman hasn’t exactly ruled out a move—he’s just hitting the pause button until the future becomes a little less foggy.
“He told himself it’s better to stay with Red Bull for now, see how things go, and then decide after 2026. If the car is rubbish next year, he can always get out of his contract. And let’s face it, if Max Verstappen wants to leave, he’ll find a way.”
The Verstappen clause that isn’t really a clause
Verstappen’s contract may officially run through 2028, but in modern Formula One, contracts are more like vague agreements with fine print printed in disappearing ink. Steiner made it clear: the idea that Max is “locked in” is nothing more than a polite fiction.
“I’m sure he can leave when he wants,” Steiner said with a smirk that could almost be heard.
“He’s the best driver on the grid. He dictates the market, not the other way around. If he says ‘I’m out,’ then guess what? He’s out.”
So why bother pretending otherwise? Because appearances matter, at least for Red Bull. And until the next round of musical chairs begins, Verstappen remains their star attraction—even if the car occasionally behaves more like a donkey than a racing machine.
Red Bull’s problems? Luxury problems, says Steiner
Even with Verstappen’s loyalty secured for one more lap around the sun, questions linger over Red Bull’s recent form. McLaren, Ferrari, and even Mercedes are all ahead in the standings this year, leaving Red Bull languishing in a position that feels deeply unfamiliar: fourth-best. For a team that spent most of the last five years laughing at the rest of the field from atop the podium, this is the F1 equivalent of midlife crisis.
Still, Steiner is unimpressed by the hand-wringing.
“They’re complaining at a very high level,” he said. “Let’s not forget, Max has still won races this year. Sure, they want more. They’re used to winning everything, so when that stops, it feels like disaster.”
The former Haas boss insists that Red Bull shouldn’t be written off just yet. “They’ve got great infrastructure, talented people, and a lot of experience. Of course they’ve got a shot in 2026. Everyone does. It’s a clean slate.”
Development freeze means Red Bull’s 2025 is toast
If you’re holding out hope that Red Bull will suddenly rediscover its form before the end of this season, Steiner’s here to gently burst that balloon.
“There’s not much they can do to this year’s car,” he said bluntly. “Everyone’s already working on 2026. That’s where the money and effort are going. This season’s car is basically frozen. Any development now is just lipstick on a pig.”
That means Red Bull fans may need to grit their teeth for a few more months of mediocrity while hoping the team’s secret 2026 project is less RB21 and more rocket ship. Steiner didn’t say it out loud, but the implication is clear: Red Bull’s season is effectively over, so let’s all pretend it’s a test session for the next regulation era.
So, what happens next?
With Verstappen staying at Red Bull, for now, the door to Mercedes is left awkwardly ajar. Toto Wolff might have to shelve his Plan A and dust off whatever Plan B looks like. Meanwhile, Red Bull continue building their post-Horner empire, piece by piece, under the watchful eyes of their Austrian overlords.
As for Max? He’s biding his time, holding his cards close to his chest, and making absolutely sure he doesn’t end up in the slowest car when the new regulations drop. If 2026 is the start of a new era, Verstappen clearly intends to be leading it—not floundering in the midfield while a McLaren zips past with a smug grin.
What do you think, jury? Is Verstappen right to play it safe with Red Bull? Or should he have taken the gamble and jumped ship while the waters were still warm? Let us know your verdict in the comments below. #TJ13
MORE F1 NEWS – Verstappen Breaks Silence on Mercedes Rumours
Luxury yachts, silent flirtations, and Wolff’s nautical charm offensive – Formula 1 silly season rarely disappoints, but this year’s most entertaining subplot wasn’t found in the paddock. Instead, it bobbed gently off the coast of Sardinia, sunlit and dripping with intrigue. In the blue waters of the Mediterranean, the world’s most watched non-meeting took place: Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff, each on their respective yachts, floating within whispering distance. No contracts were signed, no olive branches extended—at least, not that anyone could prove—but it was enough to send the rumour mill into overdrive.
The imagery was irresistible. One boat belonged to the four-time world champion and current F1 front-runner Max Verstappen, aptly named Unleash the Lion. The other was occupied by Mercedes’ team boss Toto Wolff, who reportedly still wakes in cold sweats over letting Max slip through his fingers in 2014. Both vessels were anchored off Sardinia, both passengers sun-kissed and unbothered—or were they?
Ralf Schumacher, never one to let a speculative moment pass him by, practically fanned himself with excitement. “It’s no coincidence that two boats are sailing off Sardinia this week,” he declared to RTL. “One belongs to Toto Wolff, and the other to Max Verstappen.” Naturally, the F1 universe took this as undeniable proof that Mercedes were in the final stages of a daring Verstappen heist, conducted with the sort of nautical subtlety normally reserved for Bond villains…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
