A possible exit of Max Verstappen from Formula 1 could open up one of the most coveted seats on the grid, but former driver Ralf Schumacher believes that Charles Leclerc should avoid the opportunity. The former driver stated that, in the current scenario, Red Bull Racing would not be the best choice for the Monegasque, who races for Ferrari.
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Uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future has been increasing, especially in light of the Dutchman’s frustration with the new Formula 1 regulations. Should the four-time champion leave the category, the move could trigger a major domino effect in the driver market.
Even so, Schumacher believes that Leclerc should remain at Ferrari. Participating in the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the German highlighted that Red Bull’s current situation does not make the team an ideal option: “I think now it has to be said very honestly, Red Bull in the current situation is not really an option. This is again a long-term project,” he said.
The former driver also pointed out that the team still faces internal challenges. According to Schumacher, despite progress in engine development, the structure is still undergoing instability: “The team at the moment is a bit disorganized, things are a bit chaotic. There is no proper communication to the outside. Helmut Marko (former team consultant) is also out, to provide some kind of guidance, in my opinion.”
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Schumacher also questioned the logic of Leclerc leaving Ferrari, as had been suggested in the F1 paddock, precisely at a time of evolution. For him, the Italian team is starting to show progress and abandoning the project now could be a strategic mistake: “I don’t know if it would make sense for Leclerc to leave a team that is now starting to work. I also can’t imagine that Ferrari is really considering this,” he added.
The German also mentioned the future scenario within the Italian team, citing the presence of Lewis Hamilton. According to Schumacher, the Briton’s situation is predictable in the long term, mainly because of his age, which reinforces the importance of keeping Leclerc as a central piece: “That would be quite reckless, because I think Lewis’s situation is predictable under normal conditions, also because of his age. So you need to build a new young driver, but you also need to keep one. It’s not something I would recommend,” the former driver concluded.
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