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Red Bull’s 10 most disastrous F1 driver decisions: can they recover from these blunders?

James Taylor by James Taylor
January 11, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Red Bull’s 10 most disastrous F1 driver decisions: can they recover from these blunders?

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Nyck de Vries of Scuderia AlphaTauri and The Netherlands during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 08, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202307080283 // Usage for editorial use only //

Title: The Top 10 Most Regrettable Driver Decisions by Red Bull in Formula 1 History

In the cutthroat world of Formula 1, where every decision can lead to championship glory or catastrophic failure, Red Bull Racing has had its fair share of head-scratching moments. As the team gears up for a new era in 2026, it’s crucial to reflect on the ten most regrettable driver decisions that have defined its tumultuous journey. These blunders not only impacted the team’s performance but also left a lasting mark on the careers of the drivers involved.

10. The Rushed Rookie Debut: A Recipe for Disaster In a shocking move back in 2009, Red Bull threw young Jaime Alguersuari into the deep end, making him the youngest driver in F1 history at just 19 years old. With no proper testing to prepare him, Alguersuari was expected to perform amidst the chaos of a mid-season replacement. While he managed to score points, the lack of preparation foreshadowed a premature end to his racing career by the age of 25.

9. The Scott Speed Fiasco: A Mid-Season Meltdown Red Bull’s decision to drop Scott Speed in 2007 after a disastrous performance was warranted, but the fallout revealed deeper issues. Speed’s tumultuous relationship with Toro Rosso’s management ended in chaos, marking one of the worst driver-management conflicts in team history. His inability to score points solidified the notion that Red Bull’s driver selection could falter spectacularly.

8. Abandoning Homegrown Talent: A Troubling Trend Alex Albon’s whirlwind journey from junior driver to Toro Rosso and then to Red Bull Racing exemplifies Red Bull’s troubling tendency to abandon their own talent. After a promising stint, Albon was deemed insufficient and replaced by Sergio Perez, signaling a shift in Red Bull’s once-lauded junior program. As Albon thrived elsewhere, questions loomed over the team’s judgment.

7. The Kvyat Conundrum: A Third Chance Gone Wrong Daniil Kvyat’s rollercoaster career saw him demoted after a major error, yet Red Bull inexplicably brought him back for a third stint at Toro Rosso in 2019. This decision, born from a lack of viable alternatives, showcased a team struggling to maintain a pipeline of strong drivers. Kvyat’s experience proved helpful, but the necessity of his return highlighted severe management flaws.

6. Chaotic In-Season Changes: A Recipe for Confusion Red Bull’s 2017 strategy, marked by hasty driver swaps, demonstrated a lack of foresight. The team juggled multiple drivers mid-season, resulting in a chaotic lineup that included Brendon Hartley and a confused Kvyat. The desperate measures taken to fill seats reflected poorly on Red Bull’s management and left fans questioning the team’s stability.

5. Gasly’s Downfall: The First Real Victim of Verstappen’s Shadow Pierre Gasly’s rapid promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2019 was a gamble that backfired spectacularly. With insufficient experience and facing the overwhelming pressure of being Max Verstappen’s teammate, Gasly’s performance crumbled. His demotion after just half a season sparked outrage among fans, highlighting the team’s rash decision-making.

4. Hartley’s Unlikely Return: A Desperate Measure In a bizarre twist, sportscar champion Brendon Hartley was called up for a late-season debut in 2017. While he proved competent, the decision raised eyebrows, showcasing Red Bull’s dwindling talent pool. Hartley’s tenure was more of a stop-gap rather than a strategic choice, leading to further questions about Red Bull’s driver development program.

3. The Lawson Gamble: A Bad Call Exposed When Red Bull opted for Liam Lawson over seasoned driver Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 season, it was a bold move that quickly turned sour. After just two races, Lawson was demoted back to the junior team, leading to widespread criticism of Red Bull’s ability to evaluate driver potential accurately. The rapid reversal of their decision left fans and analysts baffled.

2. De Vries: The Knee-Jerk Signing That Backfired The acquisition of Nyck de Vries was hailed as a savvy move until it turned into a nightmare. After just ten races with no points, De Vries was cut from the team, dismissed as a “big mistake” by Red Bull’s Helmut Marko. This knee-jerk decision reflected a deeper identity crisis within the team and highlighted a worrying trend of hasty choices.

1. The Costly Missed Opportunity: Sainz’s Exit Carlos Sainz’s departure in 2017 was a significant loss, but Red Bull’s refusal to bring him back in 2025 after Hamilton’s exit from Ferrari may go down as the biggest blunder in the team’s history. By fearing internal friction with Verstappen, Red Bull chose to stick with the struggling Perez, ultimately paying the price when they had to let him go—and still shelling out millions for a decision that could have been avoided. Sainz’s stellar performance at Williams only emphasizes Red Bull’s costly misjudgment.

As Red Bull prepares for the future, these decisions stand as cautionary tales. The legacy of poor driver management looms large, reminding fans and analysts alike that in Formula 1, the wrong call can cost not just races, but also the careers of talented drivers. Will Red Bull learn from its history, or are more mistakes on the horizon? Only time will tell.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonAlex Albonjaime-alguersuari-enoracle-red-bull-racingScott Speedscuderia-toro-rosso
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