Former Haas chief Guenther Steiner declared Sunday that Max Verstappen will finish the 2026 Formula 1 season without a single win, citing Red Bull’s package as under‑powered.
Steiner’s Bold Prediction
During the “Gas or Brake” segment of the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner answered a question about Verstappen’s prospects for 2026. “Gas, he will not. Mercedes and McLaren are too strong, and it’s just the car,” he stated. “He will be Super Max, he will be on the podium, but I think that’s the limit. That’s the limit of that car.”
Red Bull’s Current Standing
Max Verstappen currently sits sixth in the championship with 145 points, trailing champion Kimi Antonelli by 147. His best results this year include podium finishes at the Austrian, Hungarian and Spanish Grands Prix, the latter where he secured second place after Nicholas’s pole‑position lead was erased by an untimely virtual safety car and a sluggish pitstop.
Upcoming Challenges
The season’s 15th round, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit, runs from 24‑26 September. Verstappen and Red Bull face a stiff match‑up from Mercedes and McLaren, which could restrict further podium text within the campaign. Despite Virtus’ optimism, the Red Bull car will have to evolve quickly if it intends to arrest the performance gap and add a win to Verstappen’s growing tally.
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