Max Verstappen and Red Bull are still a long way from being able to challenge the overpowering Mercedes and Ferrari for the top spot in Formula 1. Since the Dutchman often just follows behind, rumors about a change for the Dutchman are heating up again. According to F1 expert Ralf Schumacher, a competitor has already made an offer to the superstar.
In the “Sky” podcast “Backstage Pit Lane”, Ralf Schumacher discussed with Peter Hardenacke the future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, which is by no means set in stone due to numerous exit clauses in the contract, which runs until 2028. “There is currently no room at Ferrari,” emphasized the ex-F1 driver, but then made people sit up and take notice: “At Mercedes, we are currently hearing behind the scenes that Toto Wolff has made him an offer.”
There has been speculation for some time that the racing team with the star is interested in the Dutchman. The team boss recently denied to “Sport Bild” that a change in the new year could become an issue. Ultimately, the team is “very lucky” with its driver pairing, said the Austrian: “There is currently no reason to change anything about our line-up.”
Formula 1: Offer was “out of the question” for Verstappen
But Verstappen was still presented with an offer, Schumacher revealed. “But that was probably so bad financially that it wasn’t even an option for him,” continued the 50-year-old, who suspects an exciting calculation on Mercedes’ part: “But I think that was intentional. Why should he get an expensive Max Verstappen alongside Kimi Antonelli, the upcoming superstar? Then he has two drivers in the team who are fighting against each other.”
This is not a desirable situation for the team and Wolff. “He still knows that from the Hamilton-Rosberg era,” recalled Schumacher. “He probably needs that as much as a hole in his head. Above all, he’s putting his Kimi in danger. That makes no sense at all.” If the 28-year-old were to consider a change within Formula 1, there would actually only be one option.
“McLaren would be an option as Gianpiero Lambiase is going there,” said the TV pundit, who believes it is possible that Verstappen will follow his long-time racing engineer. But an end to his career also seems possible: “But we know Max: It could also happen that he says that he doesn’t feel like it at all.”