Former Formula 1 race winner Ralf Schumacher believes that the relationship between Max Verstappen and Red Bull deteriorated further after his retirement at the British Grand Prix.
Rumours of Verstappen’s departure from Red Bull have grown considerably in recent weeks, the topic now the top story of the paddock.
His dramatic crashing out of the British GP is the latest chapter in a series of events that appear to be driving the two parties apart.
Schumacher elaborated on reports that Vestappen’s management is now fuelling the fire of a departure, the relationship now threatening to break down in the public eye.
The escape clause that appears in the four-time world champion’s contract is at the centre of the rumours, with Schumacher providing a telling update.
“The biggest topic this weekend was of course Red Bull,” he said.
“With regard to Max Verstappen, I have the feeling that the rumours are getting stronger and stronger.
“There is a lot of talk in the paddock: it seems as though the relationship, the proverbial curtain between the parties, has torn quite significantly.
“According to the stories I have heard, Red Bull’s management left early. There are also reports that they held it against Verstappen that, at the Red Bull Ring, when everyone [Red Bull management] was present, he did not make it clear that he would not be activating his escape clause.”
A terminal rift for Max Verstappen and Red Bull?
Schumacher then highlighted what he believes are different ideas over Red Bull’s management at the heart of the disagreements.
“I think that after this weekend, in which Max retired once again, another problem has become clearer,” he said.
“We still remember the interview in which he said there was a major problem with the engine and that the battery was empty, causing him to lose so much time in the final sector.
“Internally, it seems that Max has different ideas about how and when energy should be used and what set-up the car requires. The team now appears to be insisting that certain decisions are carried out their way. So there is disagreement there too, and that naturally creates a breakdown in trust between driver and team.
“At the moment, the situation seems to be drifting further and further apart. [Gianpiero] Lambiase will be leaving the team and also no longer appears to have the same influence he once did. An awful lot is happening right now.”
The simple swap
With Verstappen now coy on activating the exit clause, Schumacher reaffirmed the speculation that Oscar Piastri has lost confidence in McLaren, with a straight swap on the cards with the Dutchman.
“I believe it is precisely that exit clause which is causing Red Bull to look around,” the 50-year-old added. “There are already rumours about Oscar Piastri, for example, who is said to be unhappy at McLaren.
“I have heard that after Monza he lost confidence in McLaren.
“On the other hand, there are also reports that McLaren are ready to put a new offer to Piastri. The problem is that he still has a running contract and the shareholders, the group from Bahrain, probably want to stick to those arrangements because it is in their interest to do so.
“But if a solution could be found, perhaps in the form of some kind of swap, then that is certainly not inconceivable.”
At the time of publication, Red Bull has not commented on rumours to Motorsport Week, while McLaren maintains a firm denial of the speculation.
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