Verstappen's 2025 Campaign Gave Him a Schumacher-Era Aura

Ralf Schumacher believes Max Verstappen's dramatic 2025 season fundamentally changed him, forging a leadership "aura" comparable to that of his brother, Michael. This newfound ability to unite and inspire a Red Bull team in turmoil was central to his near-historic comeback from a 104-point deficit. While he ultimately fell just two points short of the championship to Lando Norris, the campaign marked a significant evolution in Verstappen's role from a star driver to a true team leader.

Why it matters:

The comparison to Michael Schumacher is the highest praise for a driver's leadership. Michael was renowned for transforming Ferrari into a dominant force, a feat built on his ability to galvanize the entire team around him. For Verstappen to be seen as developing this same quality suggests he is now capable of leading Red Bull through its next chapter, especially with the massive 2026 regulation overhaul on the horizon, which will demand immense team cohesion.

The details:

• The Great Comeback: After his home race, Verstappen was 104 points behind the leader. He then mounted a furious charge, finishing on the podium in every race after the summer break, including six Grand Prix wins and a Sprint victory.
• Internal Turmoil: This comeback occurred amidst significant chaos at Red Bull. Long-serving team principal Christian Horner was sacked following the British Grand Prix, a move Ralf Schumacher felt came "too late," leading to instability before the car became competitive.
• The "Michael Gene": Ralf Schumacher pointed to Verstappen's ability to "extract an enormous amount out of a car" compared to his teammates as a catalyst. He stated, "that changed Max. He gained this... aura that Michael also had, to unite, lead and inspire a team around him. Max now has this Michael gene too."
• Loyalty to Horner: Despite the sacking, Verstappen maintains a strong bond with Horner, texting him every race weekend. He called Horner his "biggest fan" and someone who "really went through fire for me."

Looking Ahead:

Verstappen's leadership will be his most critical asset as Red Bull navigates a period of major transition. Another long-time ally, Helmut Marko, also stepped down after the season, with Ralf suggesting Marko left because he saw Max had matured and no longer needed his constant presence. This solidifies Verstappen as the undisputed leader heading into the 2026 season, which features brand new chassis and engine regulations and the debut of Red Bull's own power unit developed in partnership with Ford.