Can "the GOAT" Max Verstappen make the difference at the Miami Grand Prix on Ford's home soil?

Formula 1 returns this weekend in Miami after a month long break following the opening three races, where Mercedes have established themselves as the benchmark. Their advantage has been built on superior energy deployment and overall package balance, leaving rivals, including Red Bull, chasing solutions to the new power unit era.

“I think Mercedes will win,” former Haas F1 Team principal turned pundit, Steiner said. “I think they are pretty strong and it will be a good battle between the two guys at Mercedes, between Kimi and George.”

“I think Max will maybe surprise us though, because Miami as a track is a little bit different for the cars with the power units. So, I think we will see less of the charging and recharging, which will help Max make it to the podium.”

Mercedes arrive with momentum after sweeping the opening rounds, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell locked in an early intra team title fight. Steiner believes that dynamic could define both the race in Miami and the championship battle ahead.

“For me, it’s George,” Steiner said of his 2026 F1 world title prediction. “Mercedes is very strong this year, and George with his experience, will at some stage take him to winning the World Championship, and more importantly, he really wants one.”

“He puts all the effort in. It’s been a long time for him to wait to have this opportunity, and it’s there now, and he will take it. I don’t think he will miss out on it.”

While Mercedes appear in control, the spotlight remains on Verstappen and Red Bull, with performance swings and regulation challenges raising fresh questions about the team’s trajectory.

“I think he still believes in Red Bull, but they need to tell him why he should believe, and that is Laurent’s job, and it’s not an easy one,” Steiner said. “But in parallel, if I were Max, I would look around to see what is possible, because it’s not forbidden.”

“Just looking around doesn’t always mean that you’re leaving, but I would start looking at options," said Steiner who was explicit about the limited destinations he sees as viable for Verstappen should he consider a move, pointing to the sport’s traditional powerhouses: “In my opinion, Max can only go to three teams: Ferrari, McLaren, or Mercedes."

Steiner continued: "But is there anything available at the moment? Maybe not, but would they make something available for Max Verstappen? That is the big question."

“Who is prepared to sacrifice what they’ve got now for Max, because Max is in my opinion the champ, he’s the GOAT. He’s not the world champion, obviously, that is Lando, but he is a four time world champion.”

“So, I mean, some teams will think about it. Just look back at when Ferrari let Carlos go, who was doing a good job, because the GOAT Lewis Hamilton came around. So, I think something like this needs to happen, but that is the thing Max will be looking for.”

Steiner added that Verstappen is unlikely to wait passively as the situation evolves, even if no immediate opening exists among the top teams: “I’m pretty sure we don’t have to tell him to do that,” he said. “He will be looking and speaking with these three teams, but I don’t think there is one which is focused on him.”

“He will sound all three of them out and see where he has got the best opportunity to win a fifth world championship.”

With Mercedes setting the pace and Red Bull searching for answers, Miami could offer the first indication of whether Verstappen can mount a sustained challenge, or if the balance of power in Formula 1 has already shifted. (Quotes from casino.org)