Former Haas Components 1 group principal Guenther Steiner believes Max Verstappen “completely” regrets not accepting previous provides to hitch Mercedes, claiming that the door for the four-time champion to make the change is firmly closed.
Verstappen’s future has been the topic of intense scrutiny within the paddock following a turbulent interval at Crimson Bull. The Dutchman’s frustration boiled over through the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the place a recurring rear wing failure resulted in him spinning out and changing into beached within the gravel at Stowe nook.
The mechanical situation, which was much like what he suffered on the Austrian Grand Prix, prompted a sequence of robust messages over group radio.
Whereas rumours have persistently linked Verstappen to a transfer away from the Milton Keynes outfit, Steiner means that Verstappen missed his alternative to hitch Mercedes.
Throughout an look on The Crimson Flags Podcast, Steiner defined: “Completely. I am positive he regrets it. However on the time, all of the negotiation was being completed with George and Mercedes. I believe the choice would have been Max there, and I believe Max simply wasn’t positive what was taking place sooner or later. After which it bought away from him.
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Photograph by: Alastair Staley / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
“I believe the prospect would have been then and there, and I do not know if he might have gone out of the contract that 12 months.”
Addressing why he thinks it’s now “too late” for the 28-year-old to hitch the Brackley outfit, Steiner pointed to the robust driver line-up that Mercedes already has. Each George Russell and Kimi Antonelli look set to stay with Mercedes in 2027 after group chief Toto Wolff just lately confirmed he want to retain the present drivers for subsequent 12 months.
“However he was satisfied to remain the place he’s, and he waited till the brand new laws got here, and now clearly it seems to be prefer it’s too late,” Steiner added.
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