Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit announcement timing predicted by Ralf Schumacher

Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports Germany presenter Ralf Schumacher has predicted that an announcement about Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull will be made after the summer break. 

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff recently confirmed that he had been in talks with the four-time champion regarding a potential move to the Brackley outfit. While he admitted that the probability of Verstappen joining the team in 2026 was low, he couldn’t rule it out entirely.

Schumacher addressed the likelihood of a move for the Dutchman following the news of Red Bull team principal and CEO Christian Horner’s abrupt exit.

“Well, it certainly hasn’t decreased,” the German explained to Formel1.de. “That much I believe. But what matters to Max Verstappen is having a car that wins – or at least can win. Now it’s up to [Laurent] Mekies. I hope he can bring some peace to the team and restore that family atmosphere quickly. And I think he can.

“I’m quite sure that everyone will take a deep breath now. And then we’ll see. The problem is: I’m struggling to imagine how Pierre Wache is suddenly supposed to build a car that’s genuinely fast. I do believe that the car, in the wind tunnel – purely based on its data, without wind or roll effects – looks excellent.

“But the difference between him and Adrian Newey is that Adrian knows what happens when the wind hits from the side, when the car rotates, shifts, reacts. He knows which compromises to make so the car stays driveable. I’m still having a hard time seeing how Wache can do that – and how he’s going to convince Max to stay. Because this season won’t turn around anymore, and Max wants to win again. I’m sure of that.”

Schumacher argued that if Verstappen decides to stay with the Milton Keynes outfit, this would stretch to beyond 2026.

“Well, it’s quite simple. If he does stay, I don’t think it’ll be just for 2026 – he’d stay beyond that. Otherwise, I believe he’ll announce a move this year. I think that announcement will come after the summer break.”

When asked if he thought the announcement would come after the summer break or the actual switch, Schumacher clarified:

“An announcement that he’s leaving, yes. I think it’s pretty clear what Max wants. And GT3 is something he’s passionate about. Mercedes is also launching a new car in that category soon, so… Right now, it doesn’t feel like the odds are great for him staying.

“I think on Sunday, it hit him that even he can’t save this anymore – and that really affected him. After the race, it was obvious to me. And once you feel like something is beyond saving, it’s hard to come back from that.

“But as I said, there’s still time until the summer break. I’m sure that’s when he’ll announce his decision. It’s no coincidence either that this week, two yachts are cruising off Sardinia – one belongs to Toto Wolff, the other to Max Verstappen. And from what I hear, there’s a good chance they might have had a coffee together.

“But what defines Max is that he won’t take this decision lightly. He knows exactly who he owes his career to – besides himself and his father, of course – and that’s ultimately Red Bull, the team that brought him to where he is today.”