Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, is on the brink of a one-race ban after the incident with George Russell in Barcelona that resulted in a 10-second penalty and three penalty points on his superlicence. Verstappen is now just one point away from missing a Grand Prix, with 11 points accumulated in the last 12 months. The Red Bull driver needs to tread carefully in the upcoming races to avoid further penalties.
In case Verstappen is forced to sit out a race, speculation arises about who could step in to replace the Dutch driver at Red Bull. Several contenders have emerged, ready to seize the opportunity to showcase their talent on the prestigious F1 stage.
French rookie Isack Hadjar has been turning heads with his impressive performances, including finishing in the points in five out of nine races this season. Despite a rocky start with a crash in Australia, Hadjar has demonstrated his potential and could be a strong candidate to fill Verstappen’s shoes temporarily.
Another contender is Liam Lawson, who struggled during his brief stint with Red Bull earlier this season but has since shown improvement and determination. With valuable experience gained from his time in the junior team, Lawson could be looking at a chance for redemption if called upon to replace Verstappen.
Ayumu Iwasa, a promising driver in the Red Bull junior program, is also in the running for a potential seat at Racing Bulls if Verstappen faces a race ban. With a successful track record in F3 and F2, Iwasa could be a dark horse choice to step up to the challenge.
Experienced driver Daniel Ricciardo, a familiar face at Red Bull, could make a surprising return for a one-off race if the team opts for a seasoned driver to fill Verstappen’s position. Ricciardo’s popularity and past success with the team could make him a fan-favorite choice for the temporary role.
Lastly, Sergio Perez, despite a challenging season alongside Verstappen last year, remains a familiar name at Red Bull and could be considered for a temporary comeback. Perez’s knowledge of the team dynamics and his eagerness to return to the track might give him an edge in the selection process.
As the speculation continues to swirl around who could potentially replace Max Verstappen if he incurs a race ban, the F1 world eagerly awaits to see how the situation unfolds and which driver will seize the opportunity to shine on the grand stage of Formula 1.
