Steiner makes two bold calls on Verstappen and Norris

Guenther Steiner sees two storylines defining the second half of 2026: Max Verstappen will remain winless, and Lando Norris will overtake George Russell for second in the championship.

Why it matters:

The former Haas boss's predictions underline Red Bull's decline and McLaren's resurgence. If Steiner is right, Verstappen's drought becomes a central narrative, while Norris's recovery adds intrigue to the fight behind leader Kimi Antonelli.

The details:

• Verstappen sits sixth on 145 points, 147 behind Antonelli, with three second places his best results.
• Steiner told The Red Flags Podcast: "Mercedes and McLaren are too strong... He will be Super Max, he will be on the podium, but that's the limit of that car."
• Norris has won in Hungary and the Netherlands, then took fourth at Monza and third in Madrid, closing to within 25 points of Russell.
• "He will be second if he continues like this," Steiner said, citing Norris's renewed confidence.

What's next:

Nine rounds remain. Verstappen will try to prove Steiner wrong, while Norris aims to erase the gap to Russell. Mercedes still sets the pace, but McLaren's upgrades suggest the battle for second is far from over.