Red Bull’s Plan B: Who Will Replace Max Verstappen if He Gets a Race Ban?
With Max Verstappen teetering on the edge of a potential race ban due to accumulating penalty points, Red Bull is forced to confront the looming possibility of his absence on the grid.
Verstappen’s recent collision with George Russell in Spain earned him three penalty points, bringing his total to 11 over the past year. If he picks up just one more point during the upcoming Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix, he will face a race ban, jeopardizing his championship aspirations and leaving fans in dismay.
Should the unthinkable happen, and Verstappen is sidelined, Red Bull will need a replacement to partner with Yuki Tsunoda. The frontrunners for the coveted spot are Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, both hailing from the Red Bull junior driver program.
Lawson, who briefly filled in for Verstappen earlier this season, holds a slight edge over the impressive rookie Hadjar. However, Red Bull may opt to give Hadjar a chance to shine in the spotlight, creating a domino effect that would require filling the vacant seat at Racing Bulls.
In the event of a driver shuffle, Formula 2 standout Arvid Lindblad could potentially secure an FIA Super Licence, while Ayumu Iwasa emerges as a strong contender to join Racing Bulls, should a spot open up.
As the tension mounts and Verstappen’s fate hangs in the balance, Red Bull must have a contingency plan in place to navigate the turbulent waters of the Formula 1 season.
