Max Verstappen and Red Bull are hanging by a thread: the chances of a split are now extremely high
The future of Max Verstappen is becoming increasingly uncertain. After weeks of internal tensions within Red Bull and persistent rumors of a possible divorce, a strong new signal has been sent by Ralf Schumacher. The former Formula 1 driver, now a pundit for Sky Deutschland, has identified a key date to understand whether the three-time world champion will remain loyal to the Milton Keynes-based team: the Imola Grand Prix, scheduled for May 18.
“If the planned upgrade for Imola doesn’t deliver the expected results, and if — as rumored — the new engine fails to perform as intended, Max Verstappen will definitely leave the team,” Schumacher stated bluntly.
It’s a bold claim that reflects the growing instability within the Red Bull garage. Ongoing tensions between Horner and Marko (as we covered in a previous article) and the technical struggles of the RB21 have already shaken the team’s foundations.
The alternatives: Mercedes or Aston Martin?
Meanwhile, the paddock is abuzz with speculation about Verstappen’s next destination. The most striking option remains Mercedes, with the Stuttgart-based brand eager to build a new winning era around Verstappen ahead of the 2026 regulation changes. However, the likely confirmation of George Russell and the impressive performances of young Andrea Kimi Antonelli make the scenario far from simple.
That’s where the Aston Martin option gains momentum — a mix of strategy and allure. At Silverstone, there’s Adrian Newey, the aerodynamic mastermind who helped lead Verstappen to his world titles with Red Bull and is now fully focused on the next-gen car for 2026. Adding to that, Honda will return as a works engine supplier in 2026 — a manufacturer Max knows and trusts deeply.
“It would be an even greater adventure — with Newey, with Honda, and with a constructor that has a big future,” Schumacher concluded, hinting that Verstappen’s path may soon take a radically different direction.
Red Bull now has one clear goal: to convince Verstappen to stay — and everything hinges on Imola. That weekend could prove decisive not just for this season, but for the long-term future of the reigning champions. What began in Barcelona back in 2016 now seems to be hanging by the thinnest of threads.
Photo: LAT Images, Oracle Red Bull Racing