Max Verstappen has long been linked to a transfer to Mercedes. Last year, the rumor mill was already in overdrive when Red Bull took a step back in the F1 hierarchy for the first time. Meanwhile, there is also plenty of speculation about a possible collaboration with McLaren. Not surprising, according to former team boss Günther Steiner. He notes that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is ‘too smart’ to bring Verstappen on board now.
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According to Steiner, Mercedes has no reason to destabilize the current driver lineup. “Where could he (Verstappen, ed.) go? If Red Bull no longer suits him, there are plenty of other teams he could join, but they don’t have the money to pay his salary and also don’t have the car he’s looking for,” said the former Haas team boss in the Red Flags podcast. Mercedes – which has regularly courted Verstappen – can pay him and also has a competitive car.
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Still, Steiner doubts whether Toto Wolff is still interested. “Why would Mercedes take him? That team has already found its next superstar (Antonelli, ed.) and also has a very good driver in George (Russell, ed.). So why invest more money to bring Max in? Max could only come if George leaves. But he is much more expensive than George and would only put pressure on Kimi. I think Toto Wolff is smart enough not to make such a deal, especially since it would simply cost a lot more.”
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