Ralf Schumacher explains why F1’s best drivers should reject Red Bull even if Max Verstappen leaves

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Red Bull could be faced with losing star driver Max Verstappen at the end of 2026. They will be keeping their options open, but Ralf Schumacher has told drivers to avoid their project.

Verstappen is free to leave Red Bull in 2026 if he is not in the top two of the championship. He has openly criticised the new technical regulations, and with his recent GT3 exploits, he is seriously considering his future.

With such a big loss, Red Bull will be keen to attract a top driver to join their new project with Red Bull Powertrains. However, the Milton Keynes outfit’s start to the season has left Schumacher thinking that drivers need to focus their attention elsewhere.

After three races, Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have scored 16 points between them as the RB22 lacks power and reliability, particularly with the chassis. Red Bull’s struggles are not the root cause of the Dutchman’s complaints, however, as he generally detests the new ruleset.

It has led to speculation about whether Verstappen will walk away from Red Bull and F1 in 2027, and who will replace him next year.

Ralf Schumacher says Red Bull are a ‘mess’ amid Charles Leclerc links

Journalist Peter Hardenacke discussed the F1 rumour mill on Sky Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse, notably Verstappen’s future. He has heard that Red Bull would be ‘very interested’ in signing Charles Leclerc if the four-time champion were to leave.

Leclerc could break his Ferrari contract, which expires in 2029, and leave in 2026 if he so wished. However, given the current state of the project in Maranello, which is the second-fastest car right now, Schumacher does not think a move to Red Bull would make sense, for any top driver, for that matter.

“Well, I think we have to be completely honest here: Red Bull isn’t really the obvious choice in the current set-up. It’s another long-term project – starting with engine development, which they’ve actually done well,” he said.

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“The team is a bit of a mess at the moment; things are a bit chaotic, and there’s 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.

“Accordingly, I wouldn’t know whether it would make sense for Charles Leclerc to switch from a team that’s just starting to function properly. I can’t imagine Ferrari are actually considering it either.

“It wouldn’t be very clever, because I think Lewis Hamilton’s situation is foreseeable under normal, let’s say, conditions, simply due to his age, and they need to develop new young drivers, but then they’d have to keep one, namely Charles Leclerc, so it’s actually not advisable.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Charles Leclerc was contacted by Red Bull in 2025

The Milton Keynes outfit’s interest in the Monegasque driver has gone on since last year. Red Bull contacted Leclerc’s manager, Nicolas Todt, over a potential move for 2027.

The rumours sparked as Leclerc expressed dissatisfaction over his lack of success with Ferrari. He has not come close to winning the championship since he joined the team in 2019.

Other teams were interested in the 28-year-old’s signature last year. McLaren were linked with Leclerc as rumours suggested that Oscar Piastri was having doubts about staying with the Woking outfit.

Furthermore, Aston Martin enquired about Leclerc multiple times as they prepare for a future without Fernando Alonso. But with Ferrari mounting a strong challenge to Mercedes in 2026, it seems unlikely that the Monegasque driver will want to jump ship.