Max Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, was spotted in conversation with Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes in the Jeddah Corniche Circuit paddock. Earlier this week, Ralf Schumacher suggested that the Enstone-based team could be a potential destination for the four-time world champion. Verstappen’s future has been the talk of the paddock this weekend following a miserable weekend in Bahrain.

Both Red Bull drivers struggled to extract performance from an ill-handling RB21 machine, and the Dutchman was only able to finish sixth at the chequered flag, overtaking Pierre Gasly on the final lap. The 27-year-old has been linked with both Mercedes and Aston Martin should he decide to call time on his Red Bull career, but according to former F1 driver Schumacher, Alpine might be an attractive option for Verstappen to consider.

“The team that we keep forgetting, but that certainly plays a role in the whole thing… Alpine!” Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. “Flavio Briatore has purchased Mercedes engines for his team next year.

“And in the meantime, look at Pierre Gasly last weekend.” Schumacher then added: “The car can’t be that bad. Add to that an extra 30 horsepower from the Mercedes engine… I don’t want to leave that team out of consideration either.”

While Alpine might not have the financial might of Mercedes and Aston Martin, they are performing significantly better than the latter in 2025, and the lure of a Mercedes power unit is a strong one, considering the positive noises emerging from Brackley and Brixworth regarding the new engines for 2026.

By joining Alpine, Verstappen would link up with former Red Bull team-mate Pierre Gasly. After edging out Esteban Ocon last season, the Frenchman established himself as the future team leader in Enstone. The arrival of the four-time world champion would likely spell the end of Jack Doohan’s fledgling F1 career.

However, for now, Verstappen insists he is relaxed, despite the deafening noise surrounding his future. Asked about Helmut Marko’s concerns after the Bahrain GP, the 27-year-old replied: “I don’t know, to be honest. I just keep working and trying to improve the car.

“Bahrain wasn’t a great weekend for us. We were all pretty disappointed with that. We just keep on trying to improve the car and come up with new ideas to try on the car. Competition is tough, and that’s how I go about my weeks, trying to improve the situation.”