Ralf Schumacher’s comments reignite speculation about Max Verstappen’s future, introducing a potentially structural scenario for the grid: a move to McLaren.
Read more Carlo Santi will stay with Lewis Hamilton for Miami: why the interim continues?
According to him, two trajectories are emerging. The first would be a temporary withdrawal, or even a complete stop from Formula 1, a hypothesis that is no longer unrealistic given the Dutchman’s recent statements, as he is increasingly critical of the new regulations and visibly losing enjoyment.
At only 28 years old, a break in his career would remain compatible with a later return to the highest level.
Never without “GP”
The second option is based on a central element: his relationship with Gianpiero Lambiase. The planned departure of his race engineer to McLaren upsets a balance that was at the heart of his success. Verstappen has always insisted on the importance of this bond, going so far as to state that he did not see himself continuing without him.
In this light, a joint move to McLaren takes on a credible dimension, especially as the British team is now establishing itself as a top-tier structure. Such a move could trigger a domino effect, with for example Oscar Piastri heading the other way to Red Bull Racing, in a logic of rebalancing forces.
Read more Otmar Szafnauer wants to relaunch the project for a twelfth F1 team, but in what timeframe?
This context is reinforced by the presence of a performance clause in Verstappen’s contract. Although committed until 2028, he could be released if he is not among the top two in the championship at the summer break.
Accelerated transfer?
However, given Red Bull’s difficult start to the season, this possibility is becoming increasingly plausible. The current car suffers from structural weaknesses, and the team is going through a transition phase marked by several significant departures, which further weakens the position of the four-time world champion.
Notably, Mercedes, long considered the most logical destination in the event of a departure, no longer even appears as the priority option in this analysis. This illustrates how quickly the situation has evolved. Furthermore, if Lambiase’s departure were to be brought forward through negotiations between teams, it could accelerate the entire process and pave the way for an early transfer.
Ultimately, all indicators point toward a possible major reshuffle: a struggling car, a loss of technical benchmarks, the end of an iconic driver-engineer duo, and declining motivation. Under these conditions, a departure for Max Verstappen is no longer a mere hypothesis, but an increasingly credible prospect in the short term.
Read more Jos Verstappen reacts to Lambiase’s departure: «Two more seasons together, no split»