The news of Adrian Newey's departure from Red Bull has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the team's future, but the development has also reignited speculation surrounding Max Verstappen's long-term commitment to the team.
Red Bull confirmed on Wednesday that that Newey, their highly acclaimed chief technical officer, will be leaving the F1 team in early 2025.
As the most successful designer in the history of the sport, whose work and ideas have been instrumental in Red Bull’s outstanding success in F1, Newey will likely leave a significant void at the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Former F1 driver and Sky Germany consultant Ralf Schumacher now believes that the renowned engineer’s exit will cause Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull.
Even before Newey's announcement, rumors of Verstappen's potential departure from Red Bull had been swirling.
Public criticism from his father, Jos Verstappen, directed towards team principal Christian Horner amid internal power struggles within the team, fueled speculation about the Dutchman's discontent.
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Additionally, Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has publicly expressed his interest in working with Verstappen as a successor to fellow F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton, who will be moving to Ferrari at the end of the season.
Amidst this climate of uncertainty, Schumacher offered his perspective on Verstappen's future, suggesting an almost inevitable exit from Red Bull.
"I also think he has other options,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “In the paddock, you already hear stories about him talking to others.
“The question is whether it will happen next year or the year after, but for me it is certain that he wants to leave.”
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Schumacher also claimed that engineers loyal to Newey – who is rumored to be considering an eye-watering offer from Ferrari – will now be seeking to leave Red Bull.
The six-time Grand Prix winner lamented Red Bull’s altered landscape since the passing in October 2022 of the energy drink company’s co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
"Engineers are leaving who want to go somewhere else together with Adrian Newey," added Schumacher.
"The team spirit is no longer what Dietrich Mateschitz would have wanted. What is happening now is really a shame and sad.
“It is very disappointing that it is now falling apart because of people who were given the opportunity by Mateschitz, while at the core they were just employees.
“It's unbelievable. I have no words for it.”
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