Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has hit back at sensational claims made by former driver Ralf Schumacher, who alleged that the Dutchman deliberately sabotaged his own Spanish Grand Prix performance to activate an early exit clause from Red Bull Racing.

Schumacher stirred controversy after suggesting Verstappen’s collision with George Russell and his ensuing 10-second penalty may have been a calculated move to drop out of the championship top three, potentially triggering a rumored clause in his contract allowing him to leave Red Bull.

Speaking to Sky Germany, Schumacher speculated:

“One has to pay attention now – if such a clause exists – why such things suddenly happen? Why incur a penalty that is so unnecessary? It could be that once you’ve made the decision for yourself, you no longer want to ensure that it remains that way.”

The theory was immediately slammed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who told BILD:

“This theory is utter nonsense. I haven’t heard anything so stupid in a long time. Max is a racer through and through. He always wants to win and would never act like that.”

Now, Max Verstappen himself has broken his silence, calling Schumacher’s comments “paranoia” and completely detached from reality.

“I don’t know what Ralf has been watching, but it’s certainly not the same race I was in,” Verstappen told Motorsport.com. “I fight for every position, every point. To say I’m deliberately sabotaging myself is laughable. That’s not racing — that’s paranoia dressed up as analysis.”

The Dutch driver admitted the incident at the Spanish GP “shouldn’t have happened” and apologized internally to Red Bull following the team’s post-race debrief. Still, he remains focused on reclaiming ground in the championship, where he now sits third behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

The accusations come amid rising pressure on Verstappen, who is just one penalty point away from a race ban, and as whispers continue about his long-term future with the Milton Keynes-based team amid internal tensions and performance slumps.

Despite the drama, Verstappen remains defiant:

“I’m still here to win. People can throw out whatever theories they want. I let my driving do the talking — and Canada will be no different.”

The Canadian Grand Prix now looms large, with Verstappen needing a clean weekend to avoid suspension — and to silence growing speculation about his Red Bull future.