Steiner: Verstappen's F1 future limited to just three teams

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen's next move in Formula 1 is a hot topic, and former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has weighed in, narrowing the Dutchman's realistic options to just three teams: Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. Meanwhile, Verstappen's upcoming appearance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours has created such a surge in demand that organisers have been forced to limit ticket sales for the first time in over 50 years.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's future remains one of the biggest storylines in F1, especially after Red Bull's dominance showed cracks in 2025. Steiner's comments highlight the power dynamics at play: even with a world champion already on the grid at McLaren (Lando Norris), teams would likely reshuffle their line-ups to accommodate a driver of Verstappen's calibre. His Nürburgring appearance also underscores his unique draw beyond F1, driving unprecedented interest in endurance racing.

The details:

• Steiner told a betting site that Verstappen's realistic destinations are Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes, but questioned whether any of them currently have a free seat.
• "Would they make something available for Max Verstappen? That is the big question," Steiner said, adding that "who is prepared to sacrifice what they've got now for Max?"
• He called Verstappen "the champ, he's the GOAT" despite acknowledging Lando Norris is the reigning world champion.
• Separately, the Nürburgring 24 Hours has seen extraordinary demand thanks to Verstappen's debut at the Nordschleife.
• Race director Walter Hornung told Auto Motor und Sport that organisers had to limit ticket sales for the first time in the event's history to ensure safety and crowd management.
• Verstappen will race in Canada next weekend before heading to the iconic endurance event.

What's next:

Verstappen's focus remains on Red Bull for now, but the speculation around his future will intensify as the 2026 season approaches. His participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours could also become a regular fixture if the fan response is any indication, further expanding his already massive global appeal.