Ralf Schumacher expects Max Verstappen to leave and names shock team

19:33, 15 Apr

Updated: 20:21, 15 Apr

byNorberto Mujica

Ralf Schumacher thinks Max Verstappen may soon be window shopping for a new team in F1. Apart from the 'regular suspects' the Grand Prix winner not analyst, names a surprising contender for the Dutchman's signature, Alpine.

'Mercedes and McLaren, but also Alpine could serve as F1 destinations for Verstappen'

It is no secret now that Zak Brown reached out to Max Verstappen's management to enquire as to where the driver stood on his future in F1. Schumacher now claims that the American's interest into signing the reigning world champion has not dissipated one bit.

"I suspect that there is room for Max Verstappen in any team, it is clear again this year the difference he can make. This will apply to Mercedes and McLaren as well, as Zak Brown is interested."

"Also Alpine, because Flavio Briatore is there and they will be using Mercedes engines, the car is not necessarily bad either, if you saw Gasly drive with it last weekend."

Then the connection is quickly made due to the history bewteen the Verstappen family and Alpine's executive advisor for Luca de Meo, Renault's CEO, Flavio Briatore, when Jos Verstappen raced for Benetton alongside Ralf's brother, former F1 champion Michael Schumacher.'"he link between Max and Briatore is quickly made, as Briatore knows Jos Verstappen from the past. So it is not completely ruled out."

'Reuniting with F1 designer guru also an option for Verstappen'

Working with renowned designer Adrian Newey again, this time at the Aston Martin F1 team, is definitely in the cards for Verstappen, Schumacher believes, and would go there himself if he were the Dutchman.

"At the beginning of last year, the [Red Bull Racing F1] car seemed good enough, but then the car was not sufficiently developed. It may be that he shows the same as Ross Brown 25 years ago, with a double diffuser. Newey might come up with something brilliant with the new regulations for 2026, I also see the greatest potential there and would go there if I was Max Verstappen."

Rumours of a potential Verstappen to Mercedes switch have been circulating for some time, and should the Dutchman decide to go there, Schumacher would understand: "But now, in my analysis, Mercedes seems to be there. It's the second fastest car at the moment. And also [they're] the second fastest car on the race track. So, of course, I understand Max Verstappen, who says, 'yes, best engine, presumably. So I would like to be on the Mercedes team'."