Ralf Schumacher confirmed that he spoke with Jos Verstappen after the public exchange of messages involving the two former Formula 1 drivers. The tension began after criticism made by the German about the current situation at Red Bull Racing.
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Schumacher had suggested that the team misses Helmut Marko amidst current difficulties. The former team consultant left Red Bull at the end of 2025, after two decades with the team, and this statement generated a harsh response from Jos Verstappen on social media.
Max Verstappen’s father reacted by stating that Schumacher ‘talks a lot of nonsense’, which drew attention in the category’s paddock. Despite this, the former German driver stated that the two spoke and that there is no open disagreement.
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“Yes, we had contact. He wasn’t rude, but he made it clear that he thinks differently. I like Jos and Max, so it’s all good,” Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, highlighting that the current moment can also be difficult for the family after years of success.
Schumacher admitted surprise at the harsher reaction but attributed the episode to Jos’s emotional side. According to him, the close relationship between Max, his father, and Marko has always been evident, and the stronger response was unexpected, although it did not cause discomfort.
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