Since Max Verstappen recently ruled out a farewell to Formula 1, the question arises as to which team the four-time world champion will be chasing points for in the future. Ex-pilot Ralf Schumacher thinks he knows the most likely answer.
“I think there will be no place for him at Mercedes if George Russell continues to work. And why should Toto Wolff get Max Verstappen next to his protégé Kimi Antonelli? The danger is too great for him. That makes no sense because both are fast,” said the 50-year-old on “Sky”. “At McLaren, if they want to spend the money, yes, why not. At Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton is. So it’s more like Red Bull.”
Verstappen has been driving for the Austrian-British racing team since 2016. In 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, the 28-year-old Dutchman won the Drivers’ World Championship in a dominant manner. Last year, Verstappen ended up in second place after a sensational race to catch up.
The Formula 1 superstar “shaped Red Bull, the whole team,” said Schumacher. “But you first have to find a driver like that. He can make the demands because he implements them in the end. It’s nice, of course, if you listen to him more. That was the case with my brother. There are just these drivers who can do it, and then you have to do it.”
Formula 1: Red Bull is following
At the moment, Red Bull cannot provide its flagship car with a really competitive car.
Verstappen is only seventh in the drivers’ standings for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Among the designers, Red Bull is already well behind the top three, consisting of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.
If, contrary to expectations, things don’t improve significantly for the Bulls, Verstappen could reportedly make use of an exit clause in his contract, which runs until 2028.
