Max Verstappen receives 'absolute' verdict over vital Red Bull F1 position

Max Verstappen has become an "absolute team leader" at Red Bull after the wave of departures from the team, Ralf Schumacher believes.

Since his record-breaking 19 wins from 22 races in 2023, Red Bull has lost Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Helmut Marko, and Jonathan Wheatley, whilst Verstappen has burned through three team-mates in Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda.

On top of this, the switch to the team's own in-house power unit for 2026 has had to be managed, with the RBPT unit proving reliable and eye-catching for rivals in pre-season testing.

Schumacher believes that "calm" has returned to Red Bull, aided by Verstappen being the one constant presence at the team. 

"I think some calm has returned," Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.

"Verstappen has found his position as an absolute team leader, and not every driver can do that. Now, of course, a designer [Adrian Newey] has left, but he seemed to be active in the background before, so that shouldn't be a problem."

"We've talked about it before: Christian Horner wasn't far off when he said the engine works. That whole subject was under his direction until recently. Apparently, they have attracted good people there.

"Then you have the influence of Ford, which joined more or less voluntarily, especially on the electronic side. That also runs very harmoniously. 

"We remember the interview with Peter Bayer, who was very enthusiastic about the way Ford works: familial, really motorsport and down-to-earth.

"That's actually exactly what Red Bull also radiates, and that's why I think it's going to be a great collaboration.

"I would almost say it will be a nice three-way battle, because I'm not sure where McLaren stands either. I'm curious to see where they really come out."