Max Verstappen’s ongoing future with Red Bull continues to attract widespread speculation, even as the team based in Milton Keynes adopts a more cautious tone. Despite the driver holding a contract until the end of 2028, existing break clauses mean he could become available sooner, prompting Red Bull to consider potential Max Verstappen replacement candidates.
The Dutch four-time World Champion is a dominant force in Formula 1, securing an overwhelming majority of Red Bull’s points in recent seasons. As such, losing Verstappen would pose a significant challenge for the team, requiring a strategic plan from team principal Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko. Red Bull’s robust driver programme fuels hope that rising talents may step up when the time comes.
Christian Horner’s Vision for Verstappen’s Successor
The competition to keep Verstappen at Red Bull is fierce, reflecting his status as a generational talent who consistently extracts performance beyond expectations. Over the past year alone, Verstappen scored 347 points compared to just 41 from his teammate, accounting for 88 percent of Red Bull’s total points. In 2025, that figure rises even further to 96 percent, highlighting his critical role in the team’s championship campaign.
With Red Bull currently fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, Horner and Marko are acutely aware of the risks associated with Verstappen’s departure. While there is no public confirmation that Verstappen intends to leave, Horner acknowledges that a time will come when Verstappen is no longer part of the team. Preparing for this eventuality through nurturing young talent in the Red Bull driver academy represents prudent management.
Red Bull’s driver development programme has historically produced multiple world champions and race winners, including Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon. This system creates a steady pipeline of potential stars who could eventually fill Verstappen’s shoes. Identifying who among them can truly replace the Dutchman is a pressing question for the team’s leadership.
George Russell: The Established Contender
George Russell, a seasoned race winner currently with Mercedes, emerges as the most plausible immediate candidate to replace Verstappen. At 27 years old, Russell’s contract is set to expire at the end of the current season, positioning him as a potential free agent. With Mercedes widely tipped as Verstappen’s next destination should he leave Red Bull, Russell’s seat may become available.
Russell’s availability is expected to be brief, however, as Mercedes is likely to retain him or he will secure another multi-year F1 contract elsewhere. If Red Bull does not seize the opportunity to sign him promptly, the chance to acquire Russell may vanish. His blend of experience and proven speed makes him a practical short-term solution for filling Verstappen’s void.
Isack Hadjar: Rising Talent from Within
Red Bull has a strong tradition of promoting internally, a principle evident in their history of elevating drivers through their junior programme. Currently, Isack Hadjar is considered the leading candidate among Red Bull’s young prospects. After a difficult debut in Australia, Hadjar has steadily improved, demonstrating his speed and maturity by outperforming teammate Liam Lawson.
Hadjar represents the blue-chip future that Red Bull hopes will continue their championship legacy. The central question is whether he will be ready to ascend to the main Red Bull team when called upon, or if the leap might happen prematurely. His trajectory suggests he is the frontrunner to be Verstappen’s successor from within the academy.
Liam Lawson’s Challenge to Prove Himself
Liam Lawson was favored over retaining Sergio Perez at the end of the 2024 season, signaling Red Bull’s commitment to youth development. However, his initial outing in the senior Red Bull car was fraught with challenges, struggling to adapt to a notoriously difficult vehicle, which led to a demotion back to their secondary Racing Bulls team.
Since returning, Lawson has shown signs of regaining confidence by scoring a personal best sixth-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix. Though Lawson’s timing with Red Bull’s senior team may have been premature, his innate speed and talent suggest that with additional experience, he could become a viable replacement candidate in the future.
Arvid Lindblad: Young Driver with a Bright Future
At just 17 years old, Arvid Lindblad represents the youngest prospect in the Red Bull system who recently received a Super Licence dispensation, allowing him to compete in Formula 1. This exceptional waiver indicates that Red Bull’s management has considerable faith in his potential to accelerate through the ranks.
Lindblad is expected to gain further experience with Racing Bulls before potentially moving to the senior team. The careers of drivers like Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri illustrate how trusting rookies with talent can yield significant rewards. Lindblad’s rapid rise through the Red Bull programme marks him as a long-term candidate to ultimately fill Verstappen’s role.
Red Bull’s comprehensive planning highlights the importance of preparing for life after Max Verstappen, ensuring continuity through a mix of experienced drivers like George Russell and promising youngsters such as Hadjar, Lawson, and Lindblad. This strategy aims to safeguard the team’s competitive edge should Verstappen’s departure become reality, underscoring the delicate balance between nurturing emerging talent and securing proven performers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Max Verstappen’s baby daughter?
A. Max Verstappen has become a father! The 27-year-old Formula One driver and his girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, have had their first child, a daughter named Lily. They shared this happy news together with an Instagram post.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. Kelly Piquet, the partner of Verstappen, is the daughter of Nelson Piquet, a past world champion. She has a daughter named Penelope from a previous relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has developed a strong bond with Penelope. He referred to this connection when questioned if fatherhood might affect his racing performance.
Q. Who is Max Verstappen’s girlfriend’s baby daddy?
A. Before she started a relationship with Verstappen, she was connected to Daniil Kvyat, another F1 driver, and they had a daughter in 2019. Piquet and Verstappen shared the news of their first child, a daughter named Lily, born on May 2. “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily.”
Q. Does Max Verstappen support LGBT?
A. Max mentioned that he values the LGBTQ+ community, but he thinks it has turned into more of an agenda instead of a movement every June. Eliza Burnett found his way of expressing this to be quite tactful.
