Max Verstappen has been tipped to leave Red Bull in a stunning swap deal that would shock Formula One to its core.
The four-time F1 world champion has had a tough start to the new season and is currently ninth in the drivers' rankings with 12 points after three races.
Verstappen is yet to secure a podium in the 2026 campaign and has made no secret of his frustrations with the new regulations - to the point where he has even spoken about retirement.
Huge doubts have emerged about the Dutchman's future at Red Bull, with speculation only increasing after it was confirmed his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase would leave for McLaren.
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After rampant rumours, an official announcement said that Lambiase is to leave when his contract expires in 2027 - and will join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer no later than 2028.
His departure joins a raft of exits from Red Bull, including team principal Christian Horner, chief engineering officer Rob Marshall and advisor Helmut Marko.
Lambiase has been a key member of Verstappen's inner circle, working alongside one another from 2016 onwards and winning four Drivers' Championship titles in a row.
Verstappen has gone on record to say that he would "stop" if Lambiase was no longer his race engineer.
Former Williams driver Ralf Schumacher, the younger brother of seven-time champion Michael, believes that if Verstappen does not retire, he could join Lambiase at McLaren as part of a move which sees Oscar Piastri head to Red Bull.
"This could mean he leaves Red Bull because he no longer believes in the team and quits altogether, especially since he never tires of emphasising how boring he finds Formula 1,” the 50-year-old told Sky Sports Germany.
“Or: He goes to McLaren with his engineer, which would equally mean that there are negotiations underway at McLaren for Oscar Piastri to go to Red Bull, something we’ve seen before.”
Verstappen's contract with Red Bull runs until 2028 but there are rumours that there is an exit clause in his long-term deal.
In fact, some reports claim that he is able to end his relationship with Red Bull if he is not in the top two by the time the summer break rolls around.
Schumacher continued: "Gianpiero Lambiase always said: ‘I’m staying with Max and Max with him.’ That position no longer seems to be the case. In my view, Max will reorient himself next year.
“We also mustn’t forget: This exit clause, which was denied, seems to exist. And it doesn’t currently look like Red Bull will be in a top position until mid-year. Therefore, Verstappen is free to do something like this.”
Verstappen has been with Red Bull his entire F1 career, having been promoted as an 18-year-old. He has been enjoying competing in endurance races, competing in his first Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) last month.
He is set to achieve his dream of competing in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May.
Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Josh Lawless