Steiner makes bold prediction about Max Verstappen’s F1 future

The former Haas team principal, now co-owner and CEO of the MotoGP team Tech3 KTM, sees that Verstappen’s situation is completely different from previous years. Still, he doesn’t think the Dutchman will suddenly walk away from the sport: “Max, in the end, loves what he’s doing. Obviously, at the moment, he’s not happy with the regulations. He’s not happy with his own team, where they are at performance-wise. So there’s a lot of unhappiness.”

According to the Italian, part of it is that Verstappen simply isn’t used to driving an F1 car that isn’t competitive: “Don’t forget: he has never been in a team where he couldn’t win races. That is something new, and he needs to get used to that as well.”

Verstappen’s frustration has clearly surfaced in recent months. He repeatedly criticized the 2026 regulations and even hinted that quitting is an option if nothing changes. At the same time, GPblog knows he is keeping his options open with other teams, with Mercedes seen as the most logical step if he continues, followed by Ferrari and McLaren.

However, Steiner does not think a farewell to the sport is on the cards anytime soon: “ I don’t think he will step away. Will he step into somewhere else in one or two years? I think that’s very possible. Where to, I don’t know. But I don’t think it will be next year to Mercedes, because obviously they are pretty happy with their drivers.”

What Steiner is certain of is that Verstappen will always be in demand with F1 teams: “I always say Max is the biggest talent in Formula 1, and therefore, if Red Bull cannot give him what he wants or what he’s expecting, he will find somewhere else to go where they can give him what he’s expecting,” he adds, signing off with a wink: “Don’t worry, you Dutch people!”

Steiner made the switch to MotoGP at the end of 2025, where he serves as CEO of the Tech3 KTM team. That team competes in the premier class with Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales. Viñales in particular had a difficult start to 2026: he had to skip the race in Austin and then underwent shoulder surgery, causing him to miss the Spanish Grand Prix as well. His intended replacement, Pol Espargaro, was also sidelined with a hand injury, leaving Tech3 to start in Jerez with only one bike.

Meanwhile, alongside Formula 1, Verstappen is also focusing on other projects, such as his GT3 activities. With his own team, Verstappen.com Racing, he will soon compete in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. His team will race there with a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Last weekend, Verstappen took part in the Qualifiers together with Lucas Auer. It was a dramatic weekend, with a tragic accident during NLS4 in which 66-year-old Juha Miettinen lost his life.