Although Max Verstappen’s immediate future remains tied to Red Bull Racing, speculation over what comes next continues to gather pace. Former racing driver and current pundit Ralf Schumacher has now joined the debate, suggesting that Ferrari could be a good fit for the reigning world champion when the time comes for a change of team.
Having visited Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher believes that Verstappen’s profile, temperament and personal circumstances could align with what the Scuderia requires. He made these remarks after witnessing Ferrari at their home event in Monza and watching Verstappen dominate the race on television immediately afterwards.
Verstappen’s performance on Monza’s fast straights was commanding once again, with his qualifying pace setting the tone before he converted it into victory. During the post-race celebrations, Schumacher noted how warmly the Italian crowd appeared to embrace the Red Bull driver, a gesture that raised questions over whether the Tifosi could genuinely imagine Verstappen in a red Ferrari one day.
Schumacher’s Ferrari reflections
In conversation with Peter Hardenacke of Sky on the “Backstage Pit Lane” podcast, Schumacher said that the atmosphere in Monza had felt unusual.
“It seemed like the whole crowd was chanting for Max Verstappen,” he said, suggesting that the Italian public might already be envisaging the three-time champion driving a Ferrari.
The 50-year-old former Williams and Toyota driver also reflected on what Ferrari represents when paired with the right driver.
His remarks were not casual throwaway lines, but instead tied to a more thoughtful assessment. Schumacher considered Ferrari’s current leadership under team principal Frédéric Vasseur, as well as Verstappen’s stage in life. Now a father with two children through his partner Kelly Piquet, Verstappen is no longer the young hotshot with little to lose.
Schumacher suggested that this maturity could be an asset at Ferrari, where the pressure and responsibility are heavier than at other teams.
Ferrari’s needs and Vasseur’s challenge
Since taking over from Mattia Binotto, Fred Vasseur has gradually attempted to reshape Ferrari’s approach. His calm management style contrasts with the more turbulent years that often exposed the Scuderia to criticism. For Schumacher, this evolution could make Ferrari appealing to Verstappen in the long term. Stability at the top, coupled with Verstappen’s consistent performance, could form the basis of a partnership strong enough to challenge Mercedes’ hybrid-era dominance and Red Bull’s current supremacy.
The potential partnership also carries emotional resonance. Michael Schumacher, Ralf’s brother, remains Ferrari’s most iconic modern-era driver, with his five consecutive championships from 2000 to 2004 forever linked with the Scuderia’s golden period. While Verstappen is establishing his own dynasty at Red Bull, Ferrari’s rich history and its place in Formula One mythology could prove tempting.
Hamilton and the 2026 reset
Schumacher also pointed out that the timing of any Verstappen move will inevitably depend on how the next regulatory cycle unfolds. With sweeping technical changes due in 2026, including new power unit regulations and chassis adjustments, the competitive order could shift dramatically.
This has led some in the paddock to suggest that Lewis Hamilton could seize a new opportunity to return to the top if the new cars better suit his driving style.
“Everything starts from scratch,” Schumacher remarked, adding that Hamilton might find that the 2026 regulations favour his technique.
However, he remained firm in suggesting that Verstappen’s character and ‘habitus’ appear to align more naturally with Ferrari’s requirements. The implication is clear: Hamilton may still have opportunities, but Verstappen could be the driver that Ferrari truly desires in the medium to long term.
The Verstappen contract question
Despite the intrigue, Verstappen is currently tied to a long-term contract with Red Bull that runs until 2028. On paper, such an arrangement would appear to make a switch impossible in the short term. However, Formula One has repeatedly demonstrated that contracts are rarely absolute guarantees. Drivers such as Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have previously been released from their contracts when the situation demanded it.
If Verstappen senses that Red Bull’s progress is stalling or internal politics become destabilising, Ferrari’s appeal could increase. Conversely, if Red Bull maintains its dominance in the new era of rules, there may be little incentive for Verstappen to risk the turbulence of Maranello. Ultimately, performance will be the deciding factor.
Doneicali proved wrong by Italian GP
The weight of expectation
Ferrari has long been described as both the most coveted and the most demanding seat in Formula One. For every driver who has thrived under the Prancing Horse banner, several have struggled under its scrutiny. Fernando Alonso came close to winning titles but fell short, Sebastian Vettel’s time there ended in frustration, and Charles Leclerc continues to wrestle with inconsistency.
For Verstappen, joining Ferrari would mean more than just chasing victories; it would mean embracing the immense expectation of leading Formula One’s most famous team back to glory.
Ralf Schumacher’s assertion that Verstappen would “fit” at Ferrari may therefore be as much about mentality as talent. Verstappen’s relentless determination, honed through years of title battles, suggests that he would not be daunted by the challenge. The key question is whether he would see it as a necessary next step in his career or whether continuing to dominate with Red Bull would be enough to satisfy him.
Ferrari breaking Hamilton’s record
The jury is still out on this one
While this remains mere speculation, it taps into a deeper theme within Formula One: the idea that no driver’s story is complete without the possibility of driving for Ferrari. Michael Schumacher’s legend was cemented there; Alonso and Vettel pursued unfinished business; and Hamilton himself has admitted to being curious about the Scuderia. If Verstappen were to one day add his name to that list, it would create one of the sport’s most compelling narratives.
For now, the Dutchman remains Red Bull’s undisputed leader. However, with Italian fans already chanting his name at Monza and figures such as Ralf Schumacher suggesting that Ferrari would be a perfect fit, the possibility is certainly there. Whether or not this becomes a reality may depend less on sentiment and more on the competitive landscape after 2026.
MORE F1 NEWS – McLaren criticism mounts amid suggestions of ‘playing god’
The response to what seemed a fairly innocuous call from the McLaren team at the 2025 Formula One Italian Grand Prix has been nothing short of uproar. F1 publications around Europe have criticised the team for interfering in the race between their drivers in Monza.
As they did in Hungary last year, they called the driver who was second in the team order to pit first and cover off any undercut possibility from Charles Leclerc. The team had completed 45 of the 53 laps on the medium set of tyres in the vain hope a late safety car may bring Max Verstappen back into range.
Yet the world champion was so supreme he had not only pitted eight laps earlier but in that time had closed down the gap to the McLaren pair ahead such that even a safety car would have seen him retain the lead of the race…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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