Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has slammed reigning Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen for continuously threatening to leave the sport. The German believes that if the Red Bull driver wants to leave, he must ‘pack his bags’ and leave instead of repeatedly threatening to do so.
Schumacher’s remarks come after Verstappen has threatened to quit F1 multiple times amid the ongoing talks to change the sprint weekend format. Under the leadership of F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, there have recently been talks to reduce the number of practice sessions and replace it with something that can entertain the fans.
While these changes still need to be confirmed, they do seem imminent. This is because only the F1 commission now has to give the go-ahead since most team principals and drivers have agreed to these changes.
‘F1 is bigger than any individual’: Schumacher on Verstappen’s threats
While speaking about the repeated criticisms made by Max Verstappen (as quoted by gpblog.com), Ralf Schumacher said, “The past, present and future have shown or will show that F1 is much bigger than any single individual”. He explained his point by stating how F1 is now more successful than ever despite the departure of former CEO Bernie Ecclestone.
Schumacher then addressed the Red Bull driver’s threats directly by adding, “So Verstappen needs to pack his bags and leave or just accept it as it is. He is paid to compete. If he wants to go, he should go. It won’t kill Formula 1, however much I like him”.
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Max Verstappen’s domination continues into 2023 season
After dominating last season with a record 15 wins, reigning Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen’s purple patch continues into the 2023 campaign. The Dutchman has already won two of the first three races and has registered 69 points out of a maximum of 78.
Consequently of his results so far, Verstappen is 15 points clear of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, who is likely to be the 25-year-old’s most likely competitor for the world championship this season. If the Mexican wants to have any chance of winning the title this season, he cannot afford to let Verstappen increase his lead much further.
Perez will now hope to utilize his expertise at street circuits by bouncing back at the next F1 race in Baku. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place later this week from April 28 to 30.
