JULY 9, 2026

Verstappen has lost faith in Red Bull says Ralf

The relationship between Max Verstappen and Red Bull may have reached breaking point following the British GP, according to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher.

Amid growing speculation about Verstappen's future, Red Bull has reportedly become increasingly frustrated by the Dutchman's refusal to commit beyond 2026, while Verstappen himself publicly criticised the team's strategy decisions and two frightening rear wing failures.

The rumours are intensifying, Schumacher told Sky Deutschland.

There's a lot of talk in the paddock that the relationship is somewhat - if not completely - broken.

He says the current rumours are different to similar stories of the past, when Verstappen reportedly flirted with Mercedes. Max believed until the very end and didn't want to leave the team, said Schumacher.

After last weekend, that's over. I think Max has lost faith in the team. And it's probably the other way around, too.

Schumacher believes the uncertainty is now damaging Red Bull's wider operation.

"The problem is, if you spend more time discussing things and trying to regain trust in some way, it distracts you from the real issues.

And I think that's what's happening right now.

He also suggested Red Bull's management is increasingly under pressure.

Oliver Mintzlaff is the most occupied sports manager there is at the moment, Schumacher said. You have Max Verstappen, with that clause hanging over the team like a sword of Damocles.

The latest tensions follow Verstappen's anger over Red Bull's refusal to fit a fresh power unit before Silverstone, as well as his warning that the team's repeated rear wing failures are dangerous.

The FIA is now understood to be taking a closer look at Red Bull's radical 'Macarena' rear wing design, after team boss Laurent Mekies refused to rule out abandoning the concept following two failures on successive weekends.

Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos agrees the issue cannot be dismissed.

If you make two mistakes of that magnitude within seven days, you have a big problem, he said on the Pit Talk podcast.

It's definitely a problem with the car, not a driver's fault. Let's face it - it's also going to be dangerous.

As for Schumacher, he believes Verstappen's options are narrowing, with Aston Martin and McLaren emerging as the leading possibilities.

From my perspective, he's now sitting down with McLaren, he said.

I believe there are already conversations in the background, and reportedly also offers.

Much, however, could depend on Oscar Piastri, whose future has also become the subject of speculation amid reports of a possible contract exit clause.

Asked directly about links with Red Bull, Piastri's manager Mark Webber recently told Sport1: Who knows?

Although Webber later insisted media reports were wrong, Schumacher believes a Verstappen-Piastri swap is no longer out of the question.

(GMM)