Guenther Steiner names Max Verstappen’s most likely destination if he leaves Red Bull

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Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has shared where he thinks Max Verstappen’s most likely destination is if he leaves Red Bull Racing at the end of the year.

The idea of Max Verstappen abandoning a car that has won three consecutive driver’s championships seems crazy.

However, there’s plenty of internal politics going on at Red Bull right now and speaking to Sky Sports F1, Steiner has shared his thoughts on the 26-year-old’s future.

Guenther Steiner names Max Verstappen’s potential destination if he quits Red Bull

The Formula 1 driver’s market in 2024 is carefully poised right now with nearly every team and driver planning behind the scenes for next year and beyond.

McLaren and Ferrari both have their line-ups locked in for next season, although Red Bull are still sniffing around one driver who is already signed up for the following campaign.

The other eight teams on the grid will have either one or two vacancies at the end of this year which means the market is incredibly volatile at the moment.

The availability of Carlos Sainz has also thrown a curveball as it appeared that he would sign a new deal with Ferrari over the winter before they made the shock announcement that Lewis Hamilton was joining the team.

However, if Max Verstappen ends up leaving Red Bull and needs to find a new destination on the grid, then that would send the paddock into meltdown and Steiner has suggested where he’s most likely to go.

If the 26-year-old makes it clear that he wants to leave, then every manufacturer will be bending over backwards to convince him to join their team.

However, a few standout outfits would make the most sense for Verstappen to join.

Max Verstappen would have his choice of cars on the F1 grid

Speaking about the Dutchman’s future, Steiner said: “I think everyone in Formula 1 at the moment is interested in Max Verstappen.

“It’s more about where he wants to go.

“It could be Mercedes, who obviously have got a free seat with Lewis going to Ferrari.

“Aston Martin as well is a possibility, but I think if Max goes somewhere, I guess he would go to Mercedes.”

Toto Wolff has already spoken about the prospect of signing Max Verstappen this season.

There was a point when the internal turmoil at Red Bull was so bad that he was considered the ‘hottest candidate’ to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Aston Martin don’t want to be ruled out of the conversation either with Lawrence Stroll prepared to do ‘whatever it takes’ to sign the three-time world champion.

Max Verstappen in very strong position when deciding on F1 future

While many would agree with Steiner that Verstappen’s most likely destination is probably Mercedes, he’s still a long way away from leaving Red Bull.

His current contract runs until the end of 2028 meaning he’s tied down to the team for three seasons after the next major regulation change.

There is a potential way out for Verstappen though as he reportedly has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave should Helmut Marko move on.

Red Bull may be a divided camp right now, but everyone will recognise how important Max Verstappen is to their success.

His happiness and his demands are likely to be a priority for Horner moving forward.

That could have an impact on his teammate’s future with Sergio Perez’s contract expiring at the end of the year.

The team have identified their preferred candidate should they part ways with the Mexican.

But Verstappen may want a driver alongside him if he stays at Red Bull that he’s confident he can beat on a regular basis.