Max Verstappen’s career decisions have continued to draw attention in Formula 1, setting him apart from other drivers like Fernando Alonso. While Alonso, currently the sport’s oldest active competitor at 44, prepares for yet another season after debuting in 2001, Verstappen’s recent career choices have fueled discussions about longevity and success in motorsport.
Alonso, having paused his F1 journey between 2018 and 2021, is celebrated for his two early championships but has not secured another race win since 2013. Despite showing strong motivation to reach a 33rd win and a third title, his prospects appear limited. In contrast, Verstappen continues to demonstrate he can overcome challenges, even when his team is not at its best, a level of consistency Alonso has struggled to maintain at Aston Martin.
Steiner Analyzes Verstappen’s Approach Versus Alonso’s F1 Path
Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has recently contrasted Verstappen’s calculated moves to Alonso’s career course, suggesting that Verstappen won’t repeat the missteps that hindered Alonso’s later success. Steiner suggested Alonso’s trajectory saw him repeatedly joining teams at the wrong time, a pattern he believes Verstappen is unlikely to copy thanks to sound guidance and management.
Steiner credited Verstappen’s support team, which includes his father Jos Verstappen and manager Raymond Vermeulen, for helping steer his career away from underperforming teams. This support system, according to Steiner, ensures Verstappen would only consider switching teams if confidence in the Red Bull project fades, thus consistently keeping him in a strong car amid evolving regulations and competition.
“He can make it happen on his side, with the contract he has, and I think he has already planned for that, He won’t make a move like Fernando Alonso. Fernando was very good at picking the wrong car all the time. Fernando is a talent, but he has always put himself in the wrong car. Max will not make that mistake because between Jos, his father, and Raymond Vermeulen, they will make sure they get him in the right car.
Guenther Steiner said on the Red Flags podcast.”
Opportunities with Leading Teams on the Horizon
Looking to the future, Steiner has publicly stated that Verstappen’s high standing in F1 makes him a top target for any leading team after 2026, when new regulations go into effect. As the four-time champion’s contract provides flexibility, it is widely believed that any team mastering the upcoming technical changes will seek his signature. According to Steiner, the combination of Verstappen’s talent, sharp management, and open contract means he will always be in a position to compete at the front.
“I think that Max will be in the right car, so he will continue with the success, He’s very smart, and he’s surrounded by smart people. I think his contract is open, and whoever has the leading car will want Max Verstappen, and they will make it happen.
Guenther Steiner noted.”
This anticipated demand for Verstappen, magnified by his current reputation as potentially the greatest talent the sport has ever seen, puts pressure on other drivers, including Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, as teams look to dominate under the new regulations. Steiner believes that Verstappen’s consistent race-winning form, regardless of adversity, places him in a unique league among his peers on the grid.
Loyalty to Red Bull and Future Ambitions
Despite numerous rumors and ongoing speculation surrounding his future moves, Verstappen has remained steadfastly committed to Red Bull. At 28, he has even hinted that he may finish his competitive driving career with the Austrian-based team. As Formula 1 approaches a transformative period in 2026, much interest centers on whether Verstappen can reclaim the championship from current titleholder Lando Norris.
As changes sweep through the sport and as driver contracts become more fluid, Verstappen’s capacity to evaluate opportunities and avoid pitfalls demonstrated by other drivers like Alonso emphasizes the value of experienced counsel and a strategic mindset in Formula 1. With seasoned figures like Jos Verstappen and Raymond Vermeulen guiding his decisions, Verstappen’s trajectory continues to set a benchmark for how modern F1 drivers approach their careers.
