Former F1 boss explains where Max Verstappen’s future lies as Mercedes ‘don’t need’ the four-time champion

Max Verstappen has been linked with a move away from Red Bull, with both Mercedes and McLaren rumoured to be chasing the four-time F1 world champion.

It should come as no surprise that there are constructors on the Formula 1 grid that would want to bring the Dutchman to their team for the 2027 season, as he is arguably the best driver currently in the sport.

Verstappen has appeared to be growing frustrated with the performance of the Red Bull car this season, and this is what has raised questions about where he will be driving in the future.

Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff and McLaren CEO Zak Brown are huge admirers of Verstappen, as they have both previously spoken about the quality of the Dutch driver; however, the pair have attempted to quell links to the 28-year-old in the past.

Now, the former Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner, has made it clear where he believes the future of Verstappen lies after the performance of the three teams this year.

The Silver Arrows have been the dominant team this year in the championship and appear to be aiming to set up another era of dominance like they had from 2014 until 2020.

Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the driver’s championship, 50 points ahead of his nearest challenger Lewis Hamilton, and this has led to Steiner believing Mercedes ‘don’t need’ Verstappen.

Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Steiner said: “If Max goes somewhere, obviously he wants to go somewhere which is better than Red Bull, and there are not many teams around better than Red Bull.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (3) Red Bull Racing RB22 on track with Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) Aston Martin AMR26 on track and Oliver Bearman of Great Britain driving the (87) Haas VF-26 on track

“Maybe Red Bull at the moment is not where they want to be, at the forefront like they were a few years ago, but it's still one of the big four good teams.

“The seats are filled at Ferrari. At Mercedes, I think they've now found the next Max Verstappen. So, maybe they don't need the real Max Verstappen at the moment.”

As Steiner dispelled the need for Verstappen at Mercedes, he also gave his opinion on the McLaren links, believing it would be a mistake for the Dutch driver to take the risk, as he believes it would be a sideways step.

He said: “Then there was McLaren, but McLaren until a few races ago, it's like, are they really better than Red Bull? Because I think Red Bull has got one advantage. They've got their own engine now, which is an advantage,” Steiner added.

"If you have got the works engine, I mean, McLaren is doing very well having a Mercedes customer engine. But in the end, [McLaren] would be the only possibility [for Verstappen], and I don't know if that possibility even exists.

"There was the rumour that maybe Oscar could go to Red Bull, but I think that is the biggest thing for Max: if Max goes somewhere, he wants to go to the best team around.”