Schumacher Gives Max Verstappen Red Bull Exit Deadline Amid Team Turmoil
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has weighed in on the ongoing turbulence at Red Bull Racing, issuing a stark warning to reigning World Champion Max Verstappen. In a recent interview, Schumacher suggested that Verstappen should consider leaving the team if the internal discord continues beyond a certain point — putting an unofficial deadline on the Dutch driver’s future with the team.
The comments come in the wake of weeks of speculation surrounding Red Bull’s team dynamics, particularly tensions involving team principal Christian Horner. Allegations of inappropriate behavior and a reported power struggle within the team have dominated headlines, casting a shadow over the team’s otherwise dominant on-track performance.
Verstappen, who has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, has so far remained publicly committed to the team. However, his father, Jos Verstappen, has been vocal about his concerns regarding Horner’s leadership and the overall atmosphere within the team. That growing rift has led many in the paddock to speculate that Max could be exploring options elsewhere — particularly with Mercedes, who are in search of a top-tier replacement for Lewis Hamilton, set to join Ferrari in 2025.
In an interview with Sky Deutschland, Ralf Schumacher made his position clear: “Max has a lot of power right now. He is the best driver on the grid, and every team would want him. But Red Bull can’t take his loyalty for granted if the situation doesn’t stabilize soon.”
He continued, “If the power struggle at Red Bull continues and the internal politics overshadow the racing, Max has to consider leaving — and I think he should make that decision before the end of the summer break this season.”
Schumacher’s comments are not without weight. As a former F1 driver with six career wins and deep ties within the sport, his analysis is closely watched. He added that “Verstappen deserves a team that is fully focused on performance, not on internal drama.”
Red Bull has publicly maintained that Verstappen is committed to the team, with Horner reiterating in multiple press conferences that “Max is happy here and we are building for the long term.” However, the persistent questions around Horner’s leadership and the unease within the team have led many observers to believe that a breaking point could be near.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out a move for Verstappen, recently stating, “We are keeping our options open. Max is the best out there, and if he’s available, of course, we would be interested.”
That potential opening could force Red Bull into crisis mode. Losing Verstappen, who has delivered three consecutive world titles and is well on his way to a fourth, would be a seismic blow to the team’s competitive edge and commercial standing.
Insiders suggest Verstappen’s camp is watching developments closely, with the summer break — typically in August — seen as a critical juncture. If the team can’t present a united and stable front by then, a serious reevaluation of his future may be on the cards.
For now, Verstappen continues to dominate on the track, having won multiple races this season and leading the championship standings. But off the track, the uncertainty looms large.
As Ralf Schumacher concluded, “Max is in the driver’s seat — literally and figuratively. But loyalty has its limits, especially when the team’s problems start to affect the driver’s career and legacy.”
Whether Red Bull can keep its star driver amidst growing unrest may be the defining storyline of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
