The Formula 1 world is reeling after a bombshell prediction from a seasoned insider, claiming Max Verstappen could abandon Red Bull by the end of 2025 if the team fails to address its alarming performance slump. The reigning world champion, locked into a contract until 2028, faces mounting pressure as rivals like McLaren surge ahead. With a critical triple-header in Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia looming, Verstappen’s loyalty hangs in the balance—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Insider reveals Max Verstappen’s ultimatum
Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver turned analyst dropped a seismic warning, asserting Verstappen will walk unless Red Bull closes the gap to front-runners in the next few races.
“I think Max will leave the team,” Schumacher declared, pointing to the Dutchman’s growing frustration. “If nothing improves in the next two to four races, the decision will be made.” The comments follow Verstappen’s candid admission after the Chinese Grand Prix, where he conceded Red Bull’s car lacks the pace to challenge McLaren. “It’s impossible to say if there’s a quick fix,” Verstappen told reporters. “We’re pushing hard, but we need more.”
While Max Verstappen publicly downplays exit rumors, his contract reportedly includes a performance clause—a detail team principal Christian Horner acknowledged last year.
“Every contract has a performance element,” Horner admitted, hinting at Verstappen’s leverage if Red Bull falters. The team’s recent struggles have exposed vulnerabilities, with Horner admitting McLaren’s dominance: “They’re the benchmark. That’s who we have to beat.”
Behind the scenes, Verstappen’s camp is restless. His father, Jos, recently dismissed McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s speculation about a Mercedes switch as “stirring sh*t,” but the chatter persists. Insiders note Max Verstappen’s unprecedented involvement in car development, with Horner praising his work ethic: “Max is working harder than ever, guiding us on what he needs from the car.”
Yet, effort alone may not suffice. Red Bull’s technical team faces a race against time to unlock speed ahead of the triple-header—a stretch that could define their season. Verstappen’s patience, once unshakable, now appears frayed. “We have to stick together,” he stressed in China, but the subtext is clear: Red Bull’s throne is under siege, and their star driver won’t settle for silver medals.
As the F1 circus rolls into Japan, all eyes are on Max Verstappen. Will Red Bull rally to keep their champion, or will 2025 mark the end of an era? The answer lies on the track—and in the garage.