Ralf Schumacher hints Wolff and Verstappen are already in talks for 2026

After Toto Wolff's absorption to the incidental betwixt George Russell and Max Verstappen successful Barcelona, ​​Ralf Schumacher speculates that the Austrian and the existent satellite champion are already talking astir the 2026 season. The German was amazed by the Mercedes boss' comments aft the Spanish Grand Prix and does not regularisation retired the anticipation that thing much is down it.

When an incidental similar the 1 betwixt Verstappen and Russell successful Barcelona happens, Schumacher makes it wide that the squad boss, successful this lawsuit Wolff, indispensable support his operator to the maximum — and that was not the lawsuit this time. The erstwhile German operator describes Toto's absorption arsenic precise diplomatic, which, successful his opinion, is antithetic successful specified situations.

Because of this, Schumacher believes that Verstappen and Wolff are already talking astir adjacent season, though astatine the infinitesimal it seems astir unthinkable that Max would alteration the middle. The reigning champion has already made it wide that helium wants to enactment astatine Red Bull — unless things get excessively complicated.

"I deliberation Toto Wolff's absorption was precise kind, precise diplomatic. You would usually expect the squad brag to basal up for his driver, but Toto much oregon little said: let's calmly look astatine what Max did. That was precise astonishing to me. You astir get the content that helium and Max are already sitting astatine the table, eating and talking astir adjacent year," Schumacher said successful an interrogation with Sky Germany.

Schumacher shares his views

As for Max's future, Schumacher has nary doubts that nary 1 tin halt him if helium decides to leave, and Helmut Marko has already spoken astir it, reminding that helium remained faithful to the ideology of Dietrich Mateschitz — that helium does not clasp backmost his drivers. In the sentiment of the German, the aboriginal of Red Bull does not look overly exciting.

"If Max wants to leave, you can't halt him. Red Bull is presently suffering and volition proceed to beryllium truthful for the foreseeable future. Numerous improvements person not borne effect truthful far, so... Why would you judge that Pierre Wache volition marque a miraculous car for the caller rules erstwhile helium doesn't adjacent recognize the aged ones properly," helium pointed out.

"Max evidently wants a car that works, and that's not guaranteed astatine the moment. He has clip to decide, helium could hold until the summertime break, oregon adjacent aft it," concluded Ralf Schumacher.