Steiner: Verstappen Won’t Quit F1, Yet a Red Bull Exit Is Possible

Guenther Steiner, CEO of Tech3 KTM, tells GPblog that Max Verstappen intends to stay in F1, but his frustration with Red Bull’s car and the 2026 rules makes a team exit, keeping his future uncertain.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen is the sport’s marquee driver; his departure would upend Red Bull’s recent dominance and reshape the championship battle.
• A move would spark a high‑profile driver market, forcing rivals like Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren to reshape their line‑ups.

The details:

• Steiner says Verstappen “loves what he does” but has never raced in a non‑winning team, making his current frustration unprecedented.
• He’s “unhappy with the regulations and the car’s performance,” which fuels speculation about a possible switch.
• Steiner sees Mercedes as the most logical destination, with Ferrari and McLaren as plausible alternatives.
• He rules out a 2024 move, noting Red Bull is “pretty happy with their drivers,” so any switch would likely happen in the next one or two years.

What's next:

• Red Bull must address Verstappen’s concerns quickly to keep the champion.
• The driver market will heat up in the 2025‑2026 offseason, with teams lining up offers for a discontent Verstappen.
• Until a concrete plan emerges, Verstappen will stay on the grid while keeping his options open, leaving rivals on edge.