Red Bull could be at risk of losing their star driver, Max Verstappen, at the end of 2026. While they\u2019ll want to keep all their options open, Ralf Schumacher has advised drivers to steer clear of their project.<\/p>\n
Under his contract terms, Verstappen is allowed to leave if he isn\u2019t inside the top two in the championship standings. He\u2019s been vocal about his frustration with the new technical rules and has been increasingly involved in GT3 racing, which is raising questions about how long he\u2019ll stay committed to Formula One.<\/p>\n
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Replacing Verstappen would be no small task for Red Bull as they try to build around Red Bull Powertrains. But given how this season has started for them, Schumacher believes drivers should look elsewhere before making any decisions.<\/p>\n
The RB22 has struggled out of the gate. After three rounds, Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have managed just 16 points between them, with reliability and performance issues holding them back from making any real impact so far.<\/p>\n
With Verstappen openly criticising the new regulations and showing growing interest outside of F1, it\u2019s hard not to wonder whether 2026 could be his final year with both Red Bull and Formula One altogether.<\/p>\n
Ralf Schumacher Calls Red Bull \u2018Chaotic\u2019 as Charles Leclerc Links Emerge<\/p>\n
Red Bull\u2019s interest in signing Charles Leclerc has surfaced, according to Peter Hardenacke speaking on Sky Germany\u2019s Backstage Boxengasse<\/a>. With Verstappen\u2019s future uncertain, the team is reportedly eyeing the Ferrari driver.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Leclerc<\/a> could walk away from his Ferrari deal early, even though it runs until 2029. But given how strong Ferrari looks right now, Schumacher doesn\u2019t see why any top driver would want to switch to Red Bull at this point.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I think we have to be completely honest here: Red Bull<\/a> isn\u2019t really the obvious choice in the current set-up. It\u2019s another long-term project \u2013 starting with engine development, which they\u2019ve actually done well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team is a bit of a mess at the moment; things are a bit chaotic, and there\u2019s no proper communication with the outside world. Dr Helmut Marko is also missing as a figurehead to, how shall I put it, provide some guidance, in my opinion.<\/p>\n \u201cAccordingly, I wouldn\u2019t know whether it would make sense for Charles Leclerc to switch from a team that\u2019s just starting to function properly. I can\u2019t imagine Ferrari<\/a> are actually considering it either.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be very clever because I think Lewis Hamilton\u2019s<\/a> situation is foreseeable under normal conditions simply due to his age. They need to develop new young drivers but then they\u2019d have to keep one \u2013 namely Charles Leclerc \u2013 so it\u2019s actually not advisable.\u201d<\/p>\n Red Bull reached out to Leclerc in 2025<\/p>\n Red Bull\u2019s interest in Charles Leclerc isn\u2019t new. Back in 2025, they reached out to his manager Nicolas Todt to explore the possibility of bringing him on board for the 2027 season.<\/p>\n Speculation around a move grew as Leclerc became increasingly vocal about his frustrations with Ferrari. Since joining in 2019, he hasn\u2019t had a real shot at a title.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n