Red Bull relationship with Max Verstappen breaking down - Ralf Schumacher

Ralf Schumacher has claimed the cracks are starting to show in the increasingly strained relationship between Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

The six-time grand prix winner has suggested that the nucleus of the tensions between the two parties is the escape clause in the Dutchman's contract, which could see him leave the team before the deal expires in 2028.

And the German's assessment comes in the wake of a British Grand Prix to forget for Verstappen, who was in no mood to conceal his frustrations after retiring at Silverstone.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion appears ever-more angered by the RB22's mechanical problems, which have undermined his season, with the new-for-2026 regulations doing little to help his irritation.

However, speaking on Sky Sports Germany's F1 podcast Backstage Boxengasse, Schumacher has revealed that the discontent is not one-sided.

"The biggest topic this weekend was of course Red Bull," the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver said. "With regard to Max Verstappen, I have the feeling that the rumours are getting stronger and stronger.

"There is a lot of talk in the paddock: it seems as though the relationship, the proverbial curtain between the parties, has torn quite significantly.

"According to the stories I have heard, Red Bull's management left early. There are also reports that they held it against Verstappen that, at the Red Bull Ring, when everyone [Red Bull management] was present, he did not make it clear that he would not be activating his escape clause."

A breakdown in trust

Beyond the escape clause itself, Schumacher suggested that a deeper trust issue is developing, rooted in Red Bull's apparent unwillingness to act on Verstappen's technical feedback.

"I think that after this weekend, in which Max retired once again, another problem has become clearer," he explained. 

"We still remember the interview in which he said there was a major problem with the engine and that the battery was empty, causing him to lose so much time in the final sector.

"Internally, it seems that Max has different ideas about how and when energy should be used and what set-up the car requires. The team now appears to be insisting that certain decisions are carried out their way. So there is disagreement there too, and that naturally creates a breakdown in trust between driver and team.

"At the moment, the situation seems to be drifting further and further apart. [Gianpiero] Lambiase will be leaving the team and also no longer appears to have the same influence he once did. An awful lot is happening right now."

Schumacher's assessment extended beyond Verstappen's own restlessness, suggesting that Red Bull itself may now be looking at alternatives.

"I believe it is precisely that exit clause which is causing Red Bull to look around," the 50-year-old added. "There are already rumours about Oscar Piastri, for example, who is said to be unhappy at McLaren.

"I have heard that after Monza he lost confidence in McLaren.

"On the other hand, there are also reports that McLaren are ready to put a new offer to Piastri. The problem is that he still has a running contract and the shareholders, the group from Bahrain, probably want to stick to those arrangements because it is in their interest to do so.

"But if a solution could be found, perhaps in the form of some kind of swap, then that is certainly not inconceivable."