Key issue raised behind potential Max Verstappen-Mercedes switch

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has raised a key issue behind Max Verstappen possibly moving to Mercedes in the future, that himself and Toto Wolff do not "fit together". 

For the past two seasons, Verstappen has been linked with a move to the Silver Arrows but on both occasions has remained loyal to Red Bull. 

Verstappen is contracted to the Milton Keynes-based outfit until the end of 2028 season but has several performance-based clauses in his deal allowing him to depart earlier.

With F1 entering its new power unit regulations and with Red Bull powering itself for the first time, there is much uncertainty over the competitiveness of the Austrian outfit in 2026.

Asked if he believes Verstappen's future will be another major talking point this year, Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast: "I think this will only concern us if the car would not work for whatever reason. 

"On the other hand, what are the alternatives? I still don't see Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff fitting well together.

"Somehow they don't really fit together; I don't know why. I think of course a team like McLaren would do anything for Max Verstappen, if they had the opportunity and if they had a spot free. The same goes for Aston Martin."

Red Bull a 'piece of home' for Verstappen

Last year appeared the most likely time for the 28-year-old to depart from Red Bull, particularly mid-season when the issues with the RB22 were at its most significant.

However, following Christian Horner's exit and Laurent Mekies' appointment as team principal, things started to rapidly move in the right direction.

Upgrades were introduced which immediately allowed Verstappen to return to his previous dominant ways, even if he did fall short of the drivers' title.

Crucially, he looked happy within the Red Bull camp again, convincing Schumacher that an exit is unlikely in the short-term.

"[Red Bull] is of course a piece of home," added Schumacher. "And I must say that Max Verstappen felt extremely comfortable last year towards the end of the season and you really feel that it has become a unit.

"So I wouldn't question that at all now. And where does he already have something like that? The team actually belongs to him, you just have to say that."