Ralf Schumacher reignites Max Verstappen speculation after McLaren hospitality visit

Ralf Schumacher has once again raised suspicion over Max Verstappen's long-term future at Red Bull, after Jos Verstappen and Raymond Vermeulen, the Dutch driver's manager, were seen visiting McLaren's hospitality unit during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

For many within the F1 paddock, the question of where four-time F1 drivers' champion will race in 2027 is broadly settled, with the likelihood of him staying at Red Bull becoming ever more secure. 

The rival top teams, including McLaren, either have confirmed driver line-ups or appear close to doing so, and despite Verstappen's continued silence on his own plans, a departure from Red Bull feels increasingly unlikely, with Vermeulen, Laurent Mekies and Zak Brown attempting to quash the rumours in recent weeks.

But that has not stopped Schumacher from wading back into the contentious issue. Speaking on Sky Sport Germany's F1 podcast Backstage Boxengasse, the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver put the speculation firmly back on the table.

"I've seen footage of Verstappen's manager [Raymond Vermeulen] and Jos Verstappen at McLaren's hospitality last weekend," the six-time grand prix winner said. "That won't be a coincidence. Conversations will undoubtedly have taken place there.

"They certainly didn't just pop in for a coffee, which is supposedly better at Red Bull, I'm told. So I'm curious as to what's still going on there."

Schumacher was also quick to highlight that the unexpected should be expected in the pinnacle of motorsport, adding, "Formula 1 stays unpredictable. Something happens every weekend. If the car suddenly performs well again and the atmosphere shifts to something more positive, everything can change just like that."

Alongside the Verstappen speculation, Schumacher also addressed the news that Red Bull have retained Tom Hart within the team.

Hart, who has served as Verstappen's performance engineer, had appeared set for a move to Williams, where he was expected to take on the role of race engineer to Alexander Albon.

With Gianpiero Lambiase confirmed to be leaving Red Bull for McLaren, Schumacher views Hart as the natural successor in the race engineer role and believes the transition should be made sooner rather than later.

"Well, one thing is clear. Now that Gianpiero Lambiase is officially joining McLaren, he naturally won't be kept in the loop on everything anymore," the German pointed out.

"At some point you have to draw a line under that and give Max Verstappen a new race engineer. That would also be the logical step, if everything else stays as it is."