Importance Score: 40 / 100 🔵
Schumacher Suggests Alpine as Potential Destination for Verstappen Amid Red Bull Uncertainty
Speculation surrounds Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen’s future, with former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher hinting that Alpine could emerge as a surprising contender for the Dutchman’s signature. This proposition arises as Alpine secures Mercedes power units for the 2026 season, coinciding with growing questions about Verstappen’s position at Red Bull Racing following a less-than-ideal start to the 2025 campaign.
Verstappen’s Season and Red Bull Concerns
Entering the current season, Verstappen harbored ambitions of equalling Michael Schumacher’s remarkable record of five consecutive Drivers’ Championship titles. However, the 27-year-old finds himself trailing leader Lando Norris by eight points, as Red Bull’s performance trajectory appears to be declining. The Bahrain Grand Prix marked a significant shift. Despite a victory in Japan achieved under extraordinary circumstances, Verstappen could only manage seventh in qualifying and marginally improved to sixth at the finish line, overtaking Alpine’s Pierre Gasly on the final lap.
Following this race, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko acknowledged the team’s genuine anxieties about potentially losing their star driver for the 2026 season if Christian Horner’s team fails to resolve the emerging issues affecting the RB21 car.
Alpine Enters the Verstappen Equation
Should Verstappen decide to depart Milton Keynes, a variety of options are available. Mercedes has consistently been linked with the driver in the past, and Aston Martin is reportedly prepared to offer a substantial £1 billion to entice him away from Red Bull. Nevertheless, according to Schumacher, Alpine should not be disregarded as a possible destination.
“The team that often gets overlooked, but undoubtedly factors into the equation… Alpine!” Schumacher stated on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. “Flavio Briatore has secured Mercedes engines for their team starting next year.”
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Mercedes Power Unit Allure for Alpine
“And consider Pierre Gasly’s performance last weekend,” Schumacher further noted. “The car’s potential shouldn’t be underestimated. Factor in an additional 30 horsepower from the Mercedes engine… I wouldn’t exclude that team from consideration.”
The influence of a Mercedes power unit is significant. McLaren’s Constructors’ Championship title in 2024 was powered by the Silver Arrows’ engine, a feat they seem poised to repeat this year. Furthermore, there is growing optimism surrounding Mercedes’ latest project for 2026.
Mercedes’ 2026 Power Unit Optimism
“They have experienced some personnel departures from Mercedes,” Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz explained last year. “Including Loic Serra’s move to Ferrari. However, there’s a similar feeling about the 2026 power unit, which is radically different, as there was about the 2014 power unit.”
“According to sources within Brixworth, including Toto Wolff and James Allison, the indications are that they are experiencing comparable performance gains for the 2026 regulations, much like when they dominated after the introduction of new power unit regulations in 2014.”