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Max Verstappen sent mixed signals over his future in F1 during the most recent race weekend in Montreal, and Ralf Schumacher has ‘had enough’ of his antics.
The Red Bull ace portrayed a rejuvenated figure during his Thursday afternoon media duties in Canada, with Verstappen expressing his satisfaction with the changes that the FIA proposed in hopes of improving F1’s overall product in 2027.
Ralf Schumacher has had enough of Max Verstappen’s complaints… Have you?
However, fast forward to Saturday afternoon, and Verstappen outlined that his future in the sport would hinge on whether or not the F1 grid came to an agreement on passing the technical amendments.
Ferrari and Audi currently oppose the changes, while Verstappen voiced that it simply isn’t ‘mentally doable’ for him to continue racing under the current ruleset. He even ruled out a sabbatical entirely, indicating that an exit would mean he is gone for good.
Ralf Schumacher has ‘had enough’ of Max Verstappen’s retirement threats
During a recent episode of the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Ralf Schumacher and F1 journalist Peter Hardenacke discussed Verstappen’s U-turn on his happiness over the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Red Bull have been accused of instigating Verstappen’s retirement threats in an attempt to put pressure on the FIA, which is a sentiment that Hardenacke is in agreement with.
Does Max Verstappen need to make up his mind?
He has once again threatened to quit F1 if the rules aren't changed for 2027
“Max Verstappen, I believe, simply uses his position there publicly to apply pressure and to somehow say, watch out, if you can’t agree, then one of the greatest that F1 has ever seen might leave,” he opined.
“I can possibly understand it a bit, because he also said that mentally it does something to him, because this series, as it is at the moment, simply doesn’t bring him any joy.”
While Schumacher agreed with Hardenacke’s verdict, the six-time Grand Prix winner voiced his frustrations with Verstappen’s seemingly never-ending threats of exiting the sport.
He responded, “Yes, that’s true, but I think we’ve had enough of that now. In my view, it’s time for more Formula 1 and less Max Verstappen. He’s made his point loud and clear.
“Now, with ‘full throttle’ racing, it’s up to everyone to make changes, and he’ll have to do the rest on the track. I think his first task now is simply to get the car there.
“If he’s already saying that the team should listen to him and they haven’t done so, then he now has every opportunity to show us all, and above all himself and the team, that he can put his suggestions into practice and then be back at the front, or even further ahead.”
A swathe of figures within the F1 paddock have also expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the Dutchman’s threats, including Martin Brundle. However, ‘sources close’ to Verstappen have confirmed there is serious intent behind his words.
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