Schumacher: Verstappen 'has lost trust' in Red Bull.

      The connection between Max Verstappen and Red Bull might have reached a breaking point following the British GP, as per former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. With rising speculation regarding Verstappen's future, it seems Red Bull is becoming increasingly irritated by the Dutch driver's reluctance to commit beyond 2026. Additionally, Verstappen has openly criticized the team's strategic choices and two concerning rear wing failures.

      "The rumors are intensifying," Schumacher stated to Sky Deutschland. "There’s considerable chatter in the paddock suggesting that the relationship is somewhat—if not completely—broken." He pointed out that the current speculation differs from past rumors, during which Verstappen reportedly showed interest in Mercedes. "Max believed until the very end and didn’t want to leave the team," Schumacher noted. "After the last weekend, that’s changed. I think Max has lost trust in the team. And it’s possibly reciprocal."

      Schumacher expressed concerns that this uncertainty is negatively impacting Red Bull’s broader operations. "The issue is, spending more time discussing these matters and trying to rebuild trust diverts your focus from the actual problems. That’s what I believe is happening now."

      He also indicated that Red Bull's management is under increasing pressure. "Oliver Mintzlaff is currently the most occupied sports manager," Schumacher remarked. "You have Max Verstappen, with that clause looming over the team like a sword of Damocles." Recent tensions have been fueled by Verstappen's frustration over the team's decision not to install a new power unit before Silverstone and his caution that the recurring rear wing failures are "dangerous."

      The FIA is reportedly scrutinizing Red Bull's innovative "Macarena" rear wing design, especially after team principal Laurent Mekies did not dismiss the idea of abandoning it following two failures in consecutive weekends.

      Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos concurs that this issue is serious. "If you make two errors of that magnitude within seven days, you have a significant problem," he commented on the Pit Talk podcast. "It’s certainly a car issue, not a driver's fault. Let’s be honest—it could also be dangerous."

      As for Schumacher, he believes Verstappen’s choices are becoming limited, with Aston Martin and McLaren appearing as the top contenders. "From my viewpoint, he's now in discussions with McLaren," he stated. "I think there are conversations happening behind the scenes and reportedly also offers."

      Much, however, might depend on Oscar Piastri, whose future has also come under speculation amid reports of a potential exit clause in his contract. When asked about any links to Red Bull, Piastri’s manager Mark Webber recently replied to Sport1: "Who knows?" Although Webber later claimed that the media reports were "incorrect," Schumacher thinks a Verstappen-Piastri swap is no longer out of the realm of possibility.