Max Verstappen’s Future Teammate: A Shocking Revelation from F1 Veteran Guenther Steiner!
In the electrifying world of Formula 1, uncertainty looms over Max Verstappen’s team dynamics as the clock ticks down to the 2026 season. The reigning world champion, currently entrenched in his 10th season with Red Bull Racing, finds himself at the center of speculation regarding his future teammate. Will it be a familiar face, or could a surprising candidate step into the spotlight?
Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has made headlines with his audacious prediction for Verstappen’s dream team setup. While rumors swirl around Isack Hadjar potentially filling the seat alongside Verstappen, Steiner has thrown a curveball by championing rookie sensation Gabriel Bortoleto as the perfect match for the Dutch driver.
“I would take, for sure, Max Verstappen,” Steiner boldly declared in a recent interview. “And I always said before I would take Oscar Piastri. But I think now I would take one of the rookies, Gabriel Bortoleto. I would take Max and Gabriel.” This unexpected endorsement of Bortoleto could signal a significant shift in the F1 landscape, as the young driver has been making waves with his impressive performances.
As Verstappen gears up for what could be another transformative year in his career, Steiner’s dream pairing is not just about driver compatibility—it’s about building a powerhouse team. Drawing inspiration from industry titans, Steiner remarked, “The company I like, or the team I like most for the infrastructure and how they are set up, is Mercedes. I quite like that setup they have got.” His vision doesn’t stop at driver selection; Steiner has also set his sights on the engineering genius of Adrian Newey, suggesting that with the right talent around him, they could create an unstoppable force.
Steiner’s insights come as he embarks on a new chapter in his career, having recently transitioned from Haas to the MotoGP realm, where he is leading a consortium in acquiring the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team. “I am very happy not to run a team at the moment, because it is something I have done,” he shared, reflecting on his past experiences. “If the opportunity comes, if there is a project out there, I would be interested. But just to go to F1 to do a job as a team principal, I am not interested. I would rather do what I do now, go to half the races.”
As the F1 grid watches closely, the implications of Steiner’s predictions could reverberate far beyond the paddock. With Lando Norris recently taking a stunning victory in the Mexico City Grand Prix and Verstappen fiercely battling to maintain his title contention, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown in the coming seasons.
The question remains: will Gabriel Bortoleto rise to the occasion and join Verstappen in this high-stakes arena? As fans and analysts alike eagerly await the unfolding drama, one thing is certain—the future of F1 is brimming with possibility, and every twist and turn could redefine the sport as we know it.
