Ralf Schumacher has suggested that Red Bull will ‘sink into mediocrity’ within two seasons after claiming that the embattled constructor is ‘falling apart’ after a turbulent start to the 2024 season.

Formula One was rocked last week when news broke that chief technology officer Adrian Newey is reportedly considering moving away from the team, which he joined just a year after its debut in 2005.

Newey is widely considered the mastermind behind the constructor’s riotous success, which has seen the team’s star driver Max Verstappen claim three consecutive world championships since 2021, and the constructor win the championship in 2022 and 2023.

The legendary designer is contracted with Red Bull until the end of the 2025 season, and Newey has not yet publicly commented, but reports over the weekend suggested that the two parties held showdown talks to discuss his future.

The potential loss of Newey’s technical acumen would likely prove seismic for the team, which Schumacher – who previously called for team principal Christian Horner to resign – underscored on Monday.

Adrian Newey is reportedly set to call time on his 18-year stint at embattled team Red Bull

The legendary designer is thought to have held ‘showdown’ talks with the team (pictured with principal Christian Horner)

Ralf Schumacher offered a bleak prognosis of the future without their chief technology officer

‘Adrian Newey needs harmony, he needs a good atmosphere, a good workplace,’ the brother of seven-time world champion Michael told Sky Sports Germany.

‘And at the moment, you have to say clearly: Red Bull is falling apart.’

The English-based team has been at the centre of swirling controversy in the wake of an internal investigation into the conduct of its principal Christian Horner – which, despite the husband of Geri Halliwell being cleared of the allegations, shows no sign of abating.

The female employee involved in the investigation has since launched an appeal into the verdict, and gave evidence to the newly appointed KC last week.

There has been no suggestion that the appeal is tied to Newey’s reported decision, but Schumacher claimed that blame for his looming exit should be levelled at Horner.

‘The sole responsibility for this lies with Christian Horner, who is holding onto power with all his might,’ Schumacher added.

Star driver Max Verstappen has been linked with moves away from his team amid the chaos

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is thought to be preparing a bumper offer for the driver

‘I don’t think that will be the last problem he will have when Adrian Newey leaves him. Max Verstappen is already thinking about it too, as is Dr. Helmut Marko, if you watch him like that.’

World champion Verstappen has been unwilling to be drawn on the topic of chaos at his constructor since the start of the season, and has since been linked to a move away from Red Bull despite his contract set to run until 2028.

The Dutchman is thought to be in the process of being targeted by Mercedes, who are preparing to replace outgoing driver Lewis Hamilton at the end of the season.

Team principal Toto Wolff is reportedly gearing up to offer Verstappen a deal worth a staggering £128million per season, including bonuses.

But even if Verstappen does stay at the Milton Keynes-based constructor, Schumacher insisted the team’s prognosis is a negative one without Newey.

‘We remember last year when there were problems,’ he said.

‘(Newey) was ill once and then you immediately saw what was going on with Red Bull. Max Verstappen had difficulties.’

‘If he wants to continue (working), he has to be free. Otherwise, of course, he will still be blocked and won’t be able to work for a new team (if he breaks his contract and has to take gardening leave).

Schumacher has been levelled the blame for Newey’s possible departure at the door of Horner

‘I give Red Bull two more years and if they continue to hold on to Horner, the team will sink into mediocrity. I’m pretty sure of that.’

Newey is known as one of the greatest designers in Formula 1 history, winning 13 World Championship titles – six constructors’ crowns and seven for drivers – throughout his storied career.

Just five races into the season, on the track it appears to be business as usual for the exceedingly dominant Red Bull team.

Verstappen leads the drivers’ standings by an impressive 25 points, and the constructors’ by 44.