P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen tipped for hasty F1 exit as Red Bull head for bleak future
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher predicts a potential departure of star driver Max Verstappen from Red Bull, especially due to the team’s current inability to provide a championship-winning car.
Verstappen is rumored to be considering a move to Mercedes, with talks progressing between the two teams despite Verstappen being under contract with Red Bull until 2028.
Schumacher suggests that Verstappen may leave Red Bull by the end of the 2025 season for better short-term success, possibly with Mercedes, considering the upcoming regulation changes in 2026.
If Verstappen does leave Red Bull, the team could face significant challenges as he has been the main point scorer for them in 2025, highlighting their reliance on his talents.
Red Bull’s performance has been declining, as evident from their current position in the constructors’ championship and struggles to compete at the front consistently, even with Verstappen’s efforts.
With uncertainties surrounding Red Bull’s future, including the recent departure of team principal Christian Horner, the team may need to regroup and strategize if Verstappen indeed decides to move on.
