Schumacher ignites Verstappen rumors: 'Entourage already knows where he's going'

20:44, 15 Jul

byCas van de Kleut

It is still uncertain where Max Verstappen's future lies. Will it be Mercedes or will the Dutchman stay with the team where he achieved his success, Red Bull Racing? Ralf Schumacher thinks the answer to that question is already known to the entourage of the four-time world champion.

Schumacher mentioned in the latest episode of the Backstage Boxengasse podcast by Sky Sports that Red Bull should be worried: “They won't like to hear this in Salzburg, but the signals for Red Bull are not good at the moment. If Max Verstappen wants success in the short term for next year, then he will have to look elsewhere. That's what I think. And remember, there will be new engines and everything. I think it's a bigger adventure at Mercedes.”

Schumacher guesses: 'Vermeulen and Jos Verstappen already know the destination'

Schumacher continued: “He knows what he owes to Red Bull, but I think his management and his father, who has been around in Formula 1 for a long time, already know where the adventure will continue. And so, I think more of Mercedes.”

Last week, it was Schumacher who first started the rumors about talks between Verstappen and Toto Wolff in Sardinia. The German suggested at the time that it was no coincidence that the superyachts of both men were moored at the Italian island.

Did Wolff and Verstappen meet in Sardinia?

Eventually, GPblog reported that the two had not spoken in Sardinia. Schumacher then also suggested that it was probably a coincidence: “I think so, I think I might have spoiled the holiday a bit.

"From my own experience, I know you might need to choose a different holiday destination if you want peace. It's quite funny, though, when the two of them end up in the same harbor."

"They were reportedly more or less next to each other. Then you can also cause some rumors yourself. I can imagine they met each other.”

For now, nothing is certain about a possible departure of Verstappen. The Dutchman saw one of his wishes fulfilled with the dismissal of Christian Horner, but also, the performances with a view to 2026 need to significantly improve. If not, he may very well still choose to leave.