According to Ralf Schumacher, the likelihood of Max Verstappen staying with Red Bull beyond 2025 has significantly increased, following a clear shift in the team’s direction. The German points to the departure of Christian Horner and the appointment of Laurent Mekies as the new team boss as key factors in this development.
“It was a brilliant move to appoint Mekies,” Schumacher said on Sky Deutschland’s Backstage Boxengasse. “It really brought something to the team. The atmosphere changed dramatically in a short time, and the approach became completely different.”
Schumacher was previously a harsh critic of Horner during the internal struggles at Red Bull, which coincided with speculations about a possible switch of Verstappen to Mercedes. But according to him, the tide has now turned. “I think the summer break will be used to weigh all options: will Max stay with Red Bull, or is Mercedes more attractive under the new regulations from 2026? Max, his father, and his manager will sit down to discuss this.”
The former F1 driver also sees opportunities for Red Bull to attract top technicians again, something he believes was previously impossible under Horner. “With Horner at the helm, many established names in Formula 1 simply did not want to join. That’s different now.”
Emotional Bond
According to Schumacher, it will be crucial whether Red Bull can present Verstappen with a clear technical plan for 2026: “If they can give him a concrete roadmap, then I see him staying. Just like Fernando Alonso was convinced by the project with Newey and Honda.”
Schumacher also emphasizes the emotional bond between Verstappen and Red Bull. “He owes everything to Red Bull. If everything is right there again, why would you leave?”
