'Max Verstappen will get long term contract at Mercedes'
Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has urged caution over the expectations placed on Red Bull’s new team principal Laurent Mekies, stressing that “he’s not a magician” and warning the team’s return to dominant form could “take years.”
Speaking to web.de, Steiner said, “I just hope that they don't put too much pressure on Laurent Mekies. He’s not a magician either.”
With Red Bull currently sitting fourth in the Constructors’ standings, Steiner believes Mekies “has a huge job ahead of him,” particularly after months of turbulence in the wake of the 2024 Christian Horner's scandal.
Top talent exodus and a massive Ford project Steiner pointed to key personnel losses, including but not limited to Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, as a major setback.
“Good people have left and spread out to other teams. Now he has to try to attract new top people, and that's difficult.”
Adding to the challenge, Red Bull is building its own engine with Ford.
“This is a huge project. In the first year, it will certainly not run smoothly.”
2026 and Verstappen's strategic call
Looking ahead, Steiner predicts Red Bull “will be at the front of the field in 2026, but not at the top,” with a gap to the leaders still likely.
As for Max Verstappen, Steiner sees no surprise in his decision to remain for now: “Max knows: At Red Bull he has the option to leave at the end of 2026.
"If Red Bull remains strong, he’s in the right place. If Mercedes is strong from 2026, he will get a multi-year contract there.
"A move now with a long-term contract would be riskier,” Steiner concluded.
Popular on GPBlog
Red Bull makes tough decision and withdraws from next race
F1 Today | Red Bull makes tough decision as F1 drivers holiday destinations unveiled
F1 LIVE | Red Bull retires from race as Lawson reveals his influence on him
