Christian Horner will ‘hate’ what Ralf Schumacher said about Max Verstappen’s future and predicts who he’ll replace in 2026

Max Verstappen is doing everything he possibly can to challenge for a fifth consecutive world championship this season, despite being at a clear disadvantage to his two biggest rivals.

For the first time since Max Verstappen’s first championship victory in 2021, Red Bull have entered a campaign without the quickest car in the paddock.

McLaren’s 2025 F1 car earned Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri victory in the opening two races of the season, before Verstappen showed just how dominant he can be at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Red Bull made crucial changes to their setup over the course of the weekend, with Verstappen initially struggling in practice before the Dutchman produced one of the best qualifying laps of his life and led from start to finish to close the gap to Norris in the drivers’ championship.

However, Verstappen will be questioning just how realistic it is to expect Red Bull to be capable of helping him challenge for titles in 2026 and beyond.

Ralf Schumacher believes that doubt is growing and has made an ominous prediction that Christian Horner really won’t enjoy.

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Ralf Schumacher explains why he thinks Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull this year

Schumacher was speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast about Verstappen’s future

The former F1 driver was asked what he thinks is happening at Red Bull right now and explained: “One thing is clear from my point of view.

“I know Christian Horner will hate me again for this and want to take me to court, or whatever, so from my point of view, Max Verstappen will not stay at Red Bull.

“It’s not just because the car is having problems, but, of course, there is a new engine coming.

“And regardless of Mercedes and Honda, they are a known factor for Max Verstappen; you can assess them.

“I think Red Bull is having difficulties; they still have problems with the electric part [of the power unit], and it’s not that easy to build that.

“That’s why I think the decision has been made, from my point of view, and you have to see what you get.

“Then, maybe a Russell will be left on the market if Verstappen goes to Mercedes.”

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Mercedes still keen on Max Verstappen despite promising driver line-up

Verstappen could offer his services to every other team in the paddock, and they’d all have trouble turning him down.

The 27-year-old has plenty of time to continue improving ahead of him, and the only teams who would potentially hesitate in immediately offering him a deal would be McLaren and Ferrari.

Mercedes have reportedly held recent talks with Verstappen, but Toto Wolff faces a conundrum on which driver to drop if he manages to convince the Dutchman to switch allegiances.

George Russell is having the strongest start to a Formula 1 season in his career, and in a marginally faster car, he would have had at least one pole position this year to add to his two podiums.

On the other side of the garage, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has stood out among the six rookies on the grid, breaking two Verstappen records in Suzuka.

Wolff won’t want to cut ties with either driver, but it’s interesting that Schumacher thinks Russell is the man who would make way.

All of this is irrelevant if Verstappen doubles down on his commitment to Red Bull, but if they don’t make the progress that he’s demanding, then a move away from the Milton Keynes-based team will be more and more appealing.