Ralf Schumacher says Max Verstappen now has a Red Bull issue that ‘reminds’ him of Michael Schumacher at Ferrari

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Any driver who draws comparisons with Michael Schumacher knows that they’ve made it in Formula 1.

Only Lewis Hamilton can match Michael Schumacher’s seven drivers’ championships, although one driver is quickly catching their tally.

Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive title last year, and it was arguably his most impressive.

Verstappen’s Red Bull started the season as the most dominant car before the likes of McLaren and Ferrari quickly overtook them.

The Dutchman did exactly what he needed to do to win the championship with two races to spare, but this season has been far trickier.

Going into the summer break, Verstappen is nearly 100 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull’s ‘fundamental issues’ with their car mean that a comeback looks to be out of the question.

Bernie Collins thinks Verstappen might have demotivated Red Bull staff by suggesting that he doesn’t expect to win another race this season.

Ralf Schumacher has been studying his recent form and is beginning to see similarities between the 27-year-old and his brother during his time at Ferrari.

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

Max Verstappen is facing the same teammate issue as Michael Schumacher at Ferrari

While Verstappen’s dwindling title hopes have created headlines, the other side of the garage has also required plenty of attention.

Liam Lawson found himself dropped by Red Bull after just two races, which proved to be a damning indictment of the team’s decision-making.

Yuki Tsunoda stepped up in his place, but is currently on the longest point-less streak of any Red Bull driver since David Coulthard in 2008.

Schumacher was speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast about the Dutchman and pondered whether the lack of competitiveness on the other side of the garage is impacting the level at which he’s driving.

He said: “Max Verstappen, he always looks so good. It reminds me of my brother’s days.

“Of course, if you have a car that works great, but also have teammates who are a bit far behind, then you can relax a little and don’t have to take that last bit of risk where you might lose a wheel, drive too hard over the kerb or go over the track limit.

“To be fair, you have to say that.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1 legend Michael Schumacher from net worth to career stats

Will Max Verstappen have a new teammate at Red Bull next season?

Verstappen has never appeared to be a driver who needs a strong teammate to motivate him.

The trouble for Red Bull is that this season has shown they can’t win both championships unless Verstappen has a far stronger teammate.

New team principal Laurent Mekies has told Tsunoda what he needs to do to retain his seat, but sitting 18th in the drivers’ championship going into the summer break simply isn’t good enough.

Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar is Red Bull’s favoured Tsunoda replacement, and Lawson has rediscovered some of the form he showed last season that initially earned him a promotion.

Verstappen confirming that he’s staying at Red Bull beyond this season is the best piece of news Mekies could have received.

But he knows he’s got a job on his hands to make both sides of the garage competitive going forward.