Steiner backs Verstappen, takes scathing swipe at Alonso’s choices

The former Haas F1 team boss, speaking on the possibility of the Dutch driver winning more drivers’ championships in the future, stressed that Verstappen is surrounded by a smart team and will make the right choices when it comes to joining the best team.

“I think Max will be in the right car. He will continue his success. I think he’s very smart and surrounded by smart people,” Steiner said via the Red Flag podcast.

The 60-year-old, backing his claim, stressed his belief that the four-time world champion has such clauses in his current contract at Red Bull Racing, before launching an assessment of the choices made by Alonso.

“I think his contract is open, and whoever has the leading car wants Max Verstappen; they will make it happen. I think he can make it happen on his side with the contract he’s in. He’s already planned for that; he’s not making a move like Fernando Alonso. Fernando was very good at picking the wrong car all the time,” he continued.

Backing up his point, Steiner praised Alonso’s talent but highlighted the Spaniard’s tendency to end up in the wrong car, a mistake he’s confident Verstappen will avoid.

“Fernando was a talent in that league, but he just couldn’t do it because he always put himself in the wrong car. I think Max will not make that mistake because, between his father Jos and Raymond Vermeulen, they’ll make sure he’s in the right car. That’s also important for his confidence and the people he’s got around him, so I don’t think we have to worry about that," he concluded.

Earlier, former F1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen cracked a joke about Alonso’s longevity. The 58-year-old highlighted how the career of the Spanish driver makes several drivers from the early 2000s look like early retirees.

Alonso currently boasts the longest career in the history of F1, with the two-time world champion set for his 23rd Formula 1 campaign.

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