Max Verstappen has been tipped to leave Red Bull for one of their Formula 1 rivals.
Ralf Schumacher believes the four-time world champion could reunite with another former Red Bull figure.
AFPVerstappen has been tipped to leave Red Bull sooner rather than later[/caption]
Verstappen has been with the constructor since his F1 debut back in 2015 aged just 17.
Now 27, the Dutch driver has won the last four world championships.
However, there has been growing speculation surrounding his future despite his contract running until the end of 2028.
The rumours of a departure have only increased following Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley’s exits from the team last year.
Schumacher now believes Verstappen could be set to join the former Red Bull chief technical officer Newey at Aston Martin.
He told Bild: “Red Bull is falling apart. Verstappen is keeping the business going with his performances.
“They’ve lost many top players, and things are simmering internally. The fact that Verstappen is still staying so cool is insane.”
The former Williams star added: “Verstappen will leave Red Bull. Aston Martin would tailor everything to him.
“He would probably get the same status as at Red Bull. I don’t see that happening at Mercedes, because Toto Wolff wants to promote [Kimi] Antonelli.”
Verstappen has even fuelled the rumours by hinting at a reunion with Honda, who are set to become Aston Martin’s engine supplier in 2026.
He admitted: “I just want to enjoy the weekend and go as fast as possible, but it’s also about remembering what we’ve achieved together in the sport and who knows, maybe in the future too.”
Red Bull are yet to win a race so far this season after McLaren’s dominance in the first two Grand Prix of the year.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri each picked up wins in Australia and China, respectively.
Meanwhile, Verstappen followed up a podium in Melbourne by slipping slip to fourth in Shanghai the following week.
Those results mean he currently sits eight points adrift of Norris in the Drivers’ Championship.
There has also already been a change to Red Bull’s driver line-up after Verstappen’s team-mate on the grid was replaced.
Liam Lawson has been demoted after failing to win a point on his first two starts.
The Australian has been replaced by Yuki Tsunoda ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Verstappen has won the last three editions of the race dating back to 2022.
Another victory this weekend would be the 64th of his career and potentially lift him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
