Formula 1 Japanese GP
Ralf Schumacher puts timeline on Max Verstappen Red Bull exit decision
Ralf Schumacher believes Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull if their performance doesn’t improve in the next few races, with Mercedes emerging as a likely destination.
Alex Harrington
Published: Mar 31, 2025, 6:38 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has predicted that Max Verstappen will seek to leave Red Bull if they can't improve their car over the next few races. Speaking to the Formel1.de YouTube channel ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, he set out a timeline for the four-time champion.
The Milton Keynes squad has fallen short of expectations this season after a strong few years in the ground-effect era. Sitting fourth in the constructors' standings with 36 points after just three races - including China's sprint race - they are lagging significantly behind current pace setters McLaren who currently hold 78 points between drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The RB21 machine has been difficult to master, leading to the dropping of Liam Lawson just two race weekends into the 2025 season. Verstappen, admitting that the car is "the fourth-fastest car behind McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes," is also clearly not happy with it. The Dutchman sits eight points behind the championship leader, Norris.
Red Bull's issues, like many cars on the grid, appear to revolve around how it switches on and manages its tyres. As we saw in China, Verstappen struggled on the medium tyres but his car's performance improved rapidly on the hards. But, for a driver looking to win his fifth consecutive championship, this simply isn't good enough.
"I think Max will leave the team. Especially if nothing happens in the next two, three or four races, because then the decision will be made," Schumacher said.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
McLaren racing boss Zak Brown has also weighed in on the idea that Verstappen may be looking elsewhere.
"I think he’ll leave at the end of this year," he told The Telegraph. "Most likely to Merc. If I was bettering, I'd bet on Merc. In the last 10 years, they've won the championship seven or eight times."
On top of this, the Brackley outfit is expected to have a potent powertrain come the regulation changes in 2026. With the sport adding more emphasis to its hybrid powertrains, Red Bull's new partnership with Ford could be a gamble for the reigning champion. Mercedes, on the other hand, has over ten years of experience building hybrid powertrains, with the squad commanding the majority of the hybrid era.
The upcoming triple-header of races in Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, will be important for Red Bull as they try to salvage their season. With Yuki Tsunoda sat alongside Verstappen, the pair will be aiming for podiums. But if this isn't possible, will the flying Dutchman be looking elsewhere?
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Yuki Tsunoda launches street style clothing brand ahead of Red Bull debut
Next article Stroll hints at taking Aston Martin private as he calls valuation 'a joke'
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Alex Harrington
Fans can't get enough of Max Verstappen's floral race boots after Singapore win
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Fans can't get enough of Max Verstappen's floral race boots after Singapore win
Lando Norris casts doubt on Singapore GP sprint excitement: "I don't think it is"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Lando Norris casts doubt on Singapore GP sprint excitement: "I don't think it is"
Nike could return to Formula 1 for first time since Michael Schumacher era
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Nike could return to Formula 1 for first time since Michael Schumacher era
More from
Max Verstappen
Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one
The hidden factor that gives Max Verstappen and Red Bull extra hope for 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
The hidden factor that gives Max Verstappen and Red Bull extra hope for 2027
More from
Red Bull Racing
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Formula 1
Formula 1 2 min
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Latest news
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 2 min
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Jorge Martin: “I don’t feel I will struggle anymore” in MotoGP title run-in
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
1 h
Jorge Martin: “I don’t feel I will struggle anymore” in MotoGP title run-in
"Extremely difficult": Calendar clashes threaten Marco Wittmann's DTM future
DTM
DTM DTM 1 h
"Extremely difficult": Calendar clashes threaten Marco Wittmann's DTM future
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe