(GMM) Ralf Schumacher believes Max Verstappen (pictured) intentionally allowed tensions to rise inside Red Bull during the Canadian GP weekend in order to force the team to confront its ongoing car problems.<\/p>\n
Although Verstappen finished on the podium in Montreal, the Dutchman was angry after qualifying following another failed setup experiment on the RB22.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Schumacher said Verstappen effectively wanted to teach the team a lesson. \u201cHe basically said: \u2018I deliberately let the team run into the wall.’\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Schumacher, the episode exposed growing tension at Red Bull, amid ongoing uncertainty about the quadruple world champion\u2019s whereabouts for 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see from that there are tensions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Schumacher also criticized the way Verstappen handled the situation publicly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like the fact that Max is so honest and just says everything as it is,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut actually something like that should remain internal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former Williams driver believes Red Bull\u2019s core issue remains the unpredictability of the post-Adrian Newey era under technical director Pierre Wache.<\/p>\n
\u201cWache can build fast cars, but not necessarily consistent cars,\u201d Schumacher argued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe setup seems so complex that it is difficult for the driver to handle.\u201d<\/p>\n
He pointed to the contrast between Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar in Montreal, where Hadjar was highly competitive all weekend despite Verstappen\u2019s complaints. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t necessarily mean anything, but still,\u201d Schumacher said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey really need to work together more now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schumacher believes Red Bull urgently needs a broader operating window rather than simply chasing peak performance. \u201cA window that still works when the wind changes, or if a driver brakes a little later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is exactly what is currently missing at Red Bull.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team boss Laurent Mekies openly admitted Red Bull could reduce the bouncing and instability problems relatively easily \u2013 but only by sacrificing outright pace.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, it would probably be quite easy to solve the problem by simply slowing down the car,\u201d Mekies said. \u201cBut you want to solve the problem and win speed at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat makes it a complex problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, Mekies insisted Red Bull\u2019s development direction is improving. \u201cWe\u2019ve confirmed our progress,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur drivers managed to extract more performance. In Miami we finished 40 seconds behind the winner. Clearly, it was closer in Montreal.\u201d<\/p>\n