Red Bull Boss Announced Top Choice to Replace Max Verstappen: ‘Phenomenal’ £14.5m-a-Year Driver

Red Bull are making contingency plans in case Max Verstappen leaves the team. The world champion is under contract until the end of 2028 but his future remains uncertain.

Verstappen is on course to win a fourth straight title with the Bulls this year. Lando Norris has been slowly reducing his lead, but he retains a 52-point advantage with six races (and three Sprints) remaining.

While performance is of course the most important factor, it may not be enough to convince Verstappen to commit long-term. The team’s trajectory is a concern.

They started the year with by far the best car on the grid, and now they’re on an eight-race winless streak. The timing of Adrian Newey’s resignation may not be coincidental.

Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is also leaving to head up the Audi team. The war of words between Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner speaks to the division within the ranks.

Mercedes are the favourites to sign Verstappen should become available. But Aston Martin will need a successor for Fernando Alonso and they hope to reunite the Dutchman with Newey.

Red Bull could prioritise George Russell if they lose Max Verstappen to Mercedes

Mercedes are seemingly prepared to part with either George Russell or the newly signed Kimi Antonelli if they have the chance to sign Verstappen. According to BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson, Toto Wolff expects the former to have a natural edge over the rookie next year.

But it’s also hard to believe that Wolff would ‘give up’ on Antonelli, a driver he’s ‘nurtured’ for the past seven years, after a single season. This puts Russell in danger.