The future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing could become an increasingly discussed talking point within Formula 1 this season.
After winning four consecutive drivers’ championships with Red Bull, the task facing Max Verstappen this year appears to be much more difficult.
McLaren won the constructors’ title in 2024 but Verstappen did enough at the beginning of the previous campaign to fend off Lando Norris.
However, McLaren were the most impressive team during pre-season testing and things weren’t exactly straightforward for Christian Horner’s outfit in Bahrain.
Verstappen new teammate Liam Lawson didn’t look happy in the garage on the first day and Red Bull completed the fewest laps of any team in the paddock.
Red Bull wanted to increase the operating window of the RB21 over the winter break but the constant changes the team were making to Verstappen’s car on the final day of the running at the Bahrain International Circuit suggests they don’t completely understand the car just yet.
The Australian Grand Prix will help them identify whether they’ve succeeded in improving the car enough to offer Verstappen the chance to win a fifth consecutive championship.
However, if they haven’t, then he may end up considering his options away from Red Bull and Ralf Schumacher has been discussing where he may end up on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast.
Ralf Schumacher suggests Alpine as potential option for Max Verstappen
Talking about the future of the Red Bull team and where that leaves Verstappen, Schumacher said: “At the moment they don’t know and that’s why it’s no secret that apparently Red Bull’s own powertrain is the opposite [of Mercedes’ 2026 engine] and that’s of course another worry for Max Verstappen.
“Say they [Red Bull] have an average car with an engine that lacks 20 to 30 horsepower, then that will be interesting.
“But I think an interesting option that has not been completely forgotten, [is] you have seen Alpine e.g. Flavio is there and not a bad team at all.
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“For example, Alpine have now made a step forward, Flavio is there and is not a bad team at all.
“They will now race with the Mercedes engine for the first time next year, maybe that will be an option for the top drivers again at some point.
“You must not forget it is ultimately a works team so there will be a lot more to come and of course, Aston Martin with Honda cannot be forgotten about.”
Alpine chief advisor Flavio Briatore already a huge fan of Max Verstappen
Flavio Briatore was brought in by the £1.2bn-valued Alpine outfit last season to help turn the team around.
The Anglo-French team started last season at the back of the grid but by the end of the campaign, they had achieved an unlikely double podium in Sao Paulo.
As Schumacher mentions, Alpine will begin using Mercedes engines next season which may make them a more enticing prospect for Verstappen given the rapid progress they’ve made over the past six months.
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Briatore recently defended Verstappen from criticism about his driving style and saw similarities between the Dutchman and Max Verstappen.
If he thinks he can achieve the same level of success with Verstappen as he did with Schumacher then he will do anything to try and sign the 27-year-old.
He’ll have his work cut out convincing Verstappen to make the move if Mercedes and Aston Martin are both still keen to sign him.
However, Briatore is no stranger to making room for a superior driver within his team if the option becomes available.
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