As Verstappen’s future hangs in the balance, Red Bull eyes Hadjar and Lindblad as the next generation of team leaders.
When it comes to drivers, the glass is either half full or half empty for the Red Bull Formula 1 team.
On one hand, Dr. Helmut Marko describes Max Verstappen as the “perfect driver.” But that also means the Dutchman could choose to walk away from his long-term contract if he truly wanted to.
“Red Bull isn’t stupid,” 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg said in Montreal.
“They’re paying Max a fortune and signed him for several years. I don’t think he can just leave.”
“But you also can’t force someone to stay. If he wants to go, at some point, you have to accept it. But the new team would definitely have to pay the price.”
If Verstappen were to join Mercedes or Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing would be left only with Yuki Tsunoda and perhaps George Russell.
“The importance of Max’s contribution is obvious,” acknowledges team principal Christian Horner.
“And I know that one day, we’ll have to do without him. Hopefully, that’s still a few years away.”
“But his performance is incredible, and because of it, he pushes the entire team to a higher level.”
Horner insists he is not at all concerned about Verstappen leaving in the near future.
“No. He’s always been loyal to the team and to Red Bull as a whole. He arrived here as a teenager and now, at 27, he’s a father and a four-time world champion. With Max, you always know where you stand. I think he still feels very good here.”
Nevertheless, Red Bull is clearly preparing for the future, aware that Tsunoda is not ready to take on the number one role.
“He had one of his best qualifying sessions,” Marko said in Montreal, “and now he gets a ten-place grid penalty. Frustrating.”
Verstappen has revealed he’s been trying to help the Japanese driver get up to speed.
“It’s hard to explain the gap. We’re trying to help him with advice, for example on what I do with the car, on tyre warm-up, but in the end, he has to do it himself, of course.”
On the other hand, praise for Racing Bulls’ French driver Isack Hadjar continues to mount.
“Isack is more and more impressive,” Marko adds. “He’s consistently performing and always qualifying in Q3. It’s incredible that he manages it every time.”
Red Bull is also exploring another option: Arvid Lindblad, who now holds a super licence at just 17 years old.
Marko was asked whether that means the British-Swedish driver could now take part in official practice sessions.
“Yes, he’s now authorised to drive in a Grand Prix. We’ll probably put him in for Free Practice 1.”
Marko, however, downplayed the idea that Lindblad could replace Verstappen if the Dutchman were to serve a race suspension.
“Lindblad is only 17. He’s been very fast in every category. He’s also mentally very strong and has an incredible hunger to learn. We had only one reserve driver, Ayumu Iwasa, who also has Super Formula commitments.”
“So it was important for us to have someone else. Lindblad has all the qualities to become a great driver.”
“With Isack and him, we’re preparing our future. But of course, we want to keep Max as long as possible.”
Another option for Red Bull is 35-year-old Nico Hülkenberg, whom Marko admits to admiring. A rather backward-looking option, perhaps?
“You have to admit he’s delivered a strong performance after his unexpected F1 return. Maybe it was a good thing he didn’t get to drive alongside Max when we were in talks. He can relax a bit more now.”
As for whether Red Bull could try to sign the German again, Marko replied, “He has a long-term contract with Audi. But it’s an option I wouldn’t rule out.”
