Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, has been tipped by former F1 team principal Guenther Steiner to sign a multi-year deal with Mercedes for the 2027 season onwards. Despite Verstappen confirming he’ll stay with Red Bull for the 2026 season after the Hungarian Grand Prix, rumors about his long-term future continue due to Red Bull’s struggles and potential exit clauses in his contract.
– Verstappen’s Contract: Verstappen’s deal with Red Bull runs until 2028, but it includes a “performance element” that could allow him to leave if Red Bull doesn’t provide a championship-contending car.
– Mercedes Interest: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has acknowledged talks about Verstappen joining Mercedes were ongoing. Steiner believes Verstappen will sign with Mercedes if they’re strong from 2026 onwards.
– 2026 Regulations: With significant regulation changes in 2026, Verstappen will assess which team has adapted best. Mercedes is rumored to make a big jump, but Red Bull will also be competitive with their new power unit partnership with Ford.
– Red Bull’s Challenges: Red Bull faces challenges with new team principal Laurent Mekies and building their own power unit with Ford. Steiner doubts they’ll be at the top in 2026.
– Mercedes’ Ambitions: Mercedes might have an edge with their internal combustion engine in 2026, but the overall performance depends on both engine and battery aspects.
