Ralf Schumacher claims Max Verstappen would not ‘be able to handle’ Ferrari demands if he joins

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Max Verstappen has been linked with the majority of F1 teams amid recent rumours of a Red Bull exit for the Dutchman, but Ralf Schumacher is adamant that Ferrari is not the right destination for the four-time world champion.

Of course, when a driver of Max Verstappen’s stature indicates any signs of restlessness at their current F1 team, a swathe of teams will come calling in hopes of securing their talents.

Can Ferrari still win an F1 title in 2026?

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Verstappen has been tipped as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton if the seven-time world champion does call it quits at the end of the current F1 campaign, but reports have suggested that the Dutchman is ‘sceptical’ of the iconic Italian outfit.

Ferrari’s beloved Tifosi haven’t been given a title to celebrate since the Scuderia’s 2008 constructors’ title feat, and with the way the 2026 F1 season is shaping up, they may have to wait yet another season to see the Prancing Horse seriously compete for a championship.

• READ MORE: Fred Vasseur still thinks Ferrari can win 2026 title after seeing what Max Verstappen did last year

Ralf Schumacher explains why he thinks Max Verstappen would not work out at Ferrari

During a recent episode of the Backstage Boxengass podcast, former F1 star Ralf Schumacher was asked whether he could imagine Verstappen swapping Milton Keynes for Maranello in the near future.

Despite initially replying, “Well, anything is possible,” Schumacher outlined exactly why he thinks Ferrari would not be the right move for the 28-year-old.

“Lots of drivers are desperate to join Ferrari. You have to admit that, as a brand in its own right, it’s a very special one in Formula 1.

“Max seems to feel very much at home at Mercedes. There’s the whole GT3 thing, the teams working together there, and the engine Mercedes has. You always go with the best engine.

“From that perspective, I can hardly imagine it. Max would then have to subordinate himself a bit within that structure, and I don’t think he’s like that.

“He’s used to being the team leader, but if he joins this team on his own, which isn’t working out at the moment, then he won’t be able to handle that as a driver. He’s now lost [Gianpiero] Lambiase to McLaren, so he wouldn’t be able to bring anything with him.

“My brother brought a group of people with him back then who really worked together brilliantly. But going there on his own as a driver, I don’t think that’s enough, and so, in my view, he’ll probably only be able to go to Mercedes or McLaren.”

• READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer can see Max Verstappen replacing Charles Leclerc at Ferrari if he leaves Red Bull

Ralf Schumacher shares concerns over Charles Leclerc winning a title at Ferrari

Schumacher sees Ferrari as the root of the problem for any driver’s title aspirations. The six-time Grand Prix winner was also asked about Charles Leclerc’s chances of bringing a championship back to Maranello, to which Schumacher remains pessimistic.

“Charles Leclerc now has a seven-time world champion alongside him and so far, at least last year, Hamilton was the one at the bottom,” Schumacher added. “You have to say that this year he’s closer, but Leclerc is still leading the team.”

“I think he has a chance. Besides, he’s an incredible person too. He’s a really nice bloke. You really have to say, a great person, a great personality. It’s just that Ferrari is Ferrari.

“Even Fred Vasseur on his own won’t be enough. So the question is, can he ever become world champion in this team, in this setup?

“In the McLaren, definitely, just like Norris last year, because I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. But is he a Max Verstappen? No, he isn’t.”