Verstappen advised to 'set ego aside' due to F1 frustrations.

      "Formula 1 is greater than any individual."

      Ralf Schumacher has advised Max Verstappen to temper his criticisms of the sport's new era, suggesting that the Dutch driver should concentrate on his team instead of "complaining" about the regulations. This comes as Verstappen's frustration with the 2026 rules intensifies, with indications that he might contemplate leaving the sport.

      "Max Verstappen needs to focus on the team right now," Schumacher stated to Sky Deutschland. "There are teams capable of winning, and he can be among them. He just has to collaborate with the team to develop the car to achieve that."

      Schumacher feels that Verstappen's mindset might be becoming counterproductive. "Max is upset with the new regulations and the new Formula 1," he remarked. "Even if he were to win now, he still might not particularly enjoy it, but it would make things easier for him, resulting in less criticism from him."

      "He simply needs to set aside his ego—after all, he is well-compensated for it—and behave like a team player. This is what matters at this point."

      The former Grand Prix champion also cautioned that Verstappen's public comments could sow doubts within Red Bull. "It’s unfair to the partners, as eventually, those at Red Bull and similar organizations will begin to question, 'He has been expressing discontent, now he's driving at Nordschleife, and next he wants to race at Le Mans. Is he still fully committed to extracting the best from this car?' Max needs to be cautious."

      Schumacher even hinted that Formula 1 could continue without its top star if needed. "Formula 1 is larger than any one individual," he stated. "While I would regret his departure since I really like him, if Max Verstappen were to retire, it would be the same. If he no longer wishes to participate in Formula 1, he must adhere to his choice, and then the team can seek a new driver."

      Despite this frank evaluation, Schumacher does not believe Verstappen will depart in the near future. "Being part of Formula 1 is something truly unique," he continued. "Of course, he has the chance to express, 'I’m tired of this.' But good luck finding an alternative.

      "A GT car, while enjoyable, weighs 1.4 tons; even with all the battery power, a Formula 1 car offers a completely different experience. Moreover, there’s the opportunity to travel the world and compete against the best drivers globally. I can hardly envision Max giving that up so quickly."