Guenther Steiner has suggested where Max Verstappen should go if he chooses to leave Red Bull. The F1 world might be on a summer break, but Verstappen’s name hasn’t left the spotlight.
The team announced that his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will be joining McLaren in 2028.
This news followed Verstappen’s public criticism of the sport’s new regulations.
On top of that, there were reports earlier in the month suggesting Verstappen is thinking about retiring from F1 when this season finishes.
Where Verstappen could land if he leaves Red Bull
Speaking to Sky Sports, Steiner addressed what makes a possible move to Mercedes so attractive for drivers.
“For some reason – because obviously Toto Wolff is pushing it,” he said.
“And also they’re a brand name – there is nothing bad about Mercedes. They are not doing well at the moment but for sure it will come back.”
Steiner Advises Verstappen to ‘Wait and See’ Before Making Any Moves
Speaking on the latest episode of the Drive to Wynn podcast, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner weighed in on what could be next for Max Verstappen if he decides to leave Red Bull.
“I think his personality fits at Red Bull, but if he goes somewhere like Mercedes, do they really need him? They have two good drivers, one is an up-and-coming superstar, so why would they have a Max Verstappen for the amount he costs?
“McLaren, I think McLaren they have good team together with Lando and Oscar, so there is no space there, maybe if one of them moves on to somewhere else.
“The other team would be Aston Martin. If they get their act together, they will be strong. Honda, we know they can make an engine; they have shown it with Red Bull and won a lot of championships not long ago.
He added: “For sure, there will be a place for him. He has worked with Adrian before; Adrian was the guy who designed the cars that he was world champion in. Maybe that is his best option – wait and see until Aston Martin have sorted themselves out.”
Max Verstappen May Not Be Looking to Leave Formula 1, Guenther Steiner Believes
Still, Steiner doesn’t see Verstappen walking away from Formula 1 anytime soon. Instead, he thinks the Dutchman could be considering a change of scenery within the sport.
He added: “I don’t see it coming. If he needs to flip the switch, he will not do it.
“Is he leaving? No, he is still staying around, maybe he is looking around for his next opportunity in F1, because we have to think, he was in just one team for his whole career, maybe it’s time to change.
“I think if he does something, he is looking ‘Where can I go to be a winner again and which car is best for me?’”
If Verstappen does choose to stay in F1 but wants a move away from Red Bull Racing, several teams could enter the mix in an attempt to land one of the top drivers on the grid.
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