Ralf Schumacher says Max Verstappen has proved he’s no Michael Schumacher with Red Bull comments

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Ralf Schumacher believes that Max Verstappen’s public criticism of Formula 1’s new regulations and Red Bull’s struggles to get up to speed in 2026 are the opposite of how his brother, Michael Schumacher, would have addressed the situation.

Max Verstappen missed out on matching Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive drivers’ championships last season by two points to Lando Norris.

Schumacher’s run ended when F1 introduced a new ruleset that didn’t suit Ferrari’s approach to racing, and Red Bull look like they’re in a similar position this year.

Verstappen has privately discussed rule changes with the FIA, but it looks like Red Bull are going to have to settle for being the fourth-best team on the grid over the next few months.

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However, the 28-year-old’s decision to come out and suggest that people who enjoy this season of F1 are not real racing fans, and to suggest that Red Bull’s car is ‘particularly bad’ is an approach that Ralf Schumacher admits his brother would have never taken.

“A big problem for us is tyre degradation,” Verstappen told Sky Sports after the race in Shanghai. “We are graining a lot, probably more than the people around us. So that’s one thing we need to solve.

“More problems than expected and also balance-wise, not where we want to be. A lot of stuff, hopefully after Japan, we can make some big steps.”

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Max Verstappen’s Red Bull criticism not in line with Michael Schumacher’s approach to F1

Schumacher was speaking about Verstappen and Red Bull after his DNF at the Chinese Grand Prix on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast.

He explained: “I think Max is, you have to say, a top-notch bloke, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with him.

“I think the only thing he’s missing right now, and this isn’t unusual, is someone to talk to.

“When someone is as successful as Max Verstappen, and I’ve seen this for myself, it’s only natural that there are few people who’ll contradict him, and Max would be well advised to listen to either his manager or a good friend, and focus on what’s important.

“It’s always important to have someone by your side who protects you from making mistakes like that, and I think that’s something Max is lacking a bit, because of course, he’s used to the fact that, thanks to his success, he could more or less do whatever he wanted.

Would Max Verstappen be complaining about F1’s 2026 regulations if he had joined Mercedes?

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“Of course, things are different now. At the moment, he’s racing, well, let’s say, in the midfield. And what’s really important now, and this is the big difference compared to my brother, who has always stood by his team and held back on public criticism.

“And of course, you need to have a proper chat behind closed doors. I’ve heard they all flew in together on the same plane. They had a big meeting there. That’s important. The next step is that Mekies now needs to show that he’s not just a great leader, but that he might also fill the gaps that have arisen by bringing in staff from outside.”

In my opinion, the figure in the spotlight at the moment is, unfortunately, Max Verstappen. He’s basically forced to say everything, to comment on everything, because there’s no one else. Mekies is more of a technician; he says a bit, but you know what I mean.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies

Ralf Schumacher highlights how much Max Verstappen is missing Helmut Marko

Schumacher believes that one of the reasons why Verstappen has been so vocal this season is because Red Bull lack a mouthpiece with the media.

That role used to be played by Helmut Marko, but in his absence, journalists have shifted their focus to Verstappen and team principal Laurent Mekies.

Schumacher has now suggested that Red Bull look for a replacement for Marko and explained: “[Verstappen needs] someone like Helmut, who really calls a spade a spade, who stands behind the team, and who, for example, right now, if that’s the case, would say to Max Verstappen: ‘OK, that’s enough.’

“So they really, really urgently need that role filled, and I hope Red Bull fills it very, very quickly, because otherwise things will take a turn that doesn’t need to happen.

“You end up making life difficult for yourself, and I think communication, just as is currently lacking at Honda and Aston Martin, needs to calmly say, ‘OK, this is our problem now.’”