How does Red Bull plan to handle Max Verstappen's departure in 2026

Christian Horner already spoke in Silverstone about a cycle. In top-level sports, it's all about cycles in which you work towards a successful period, according to him. Red Bull had done it before with Sebastian Vettel and now with Max Verstappen. According to Horner, Red Bull is now at the start of a new cycle.

However, that does not alter the fact that people within Red Bull will also realise that things are not looking good for 2026. Since the departure of Adrian Newey, the technical team has been unable to make steps forward, and there are too many question marks about the power unit project. No one knows how the balance of power will look like for 2026, but the chances of Red Bull emerging as the strongest don't seem particularly high.

It seems to be an ideal moment for Red Bull to start afresh with a new project. A new cycle, as Christian Horner referred to it in Silverstone. And a four-time world champion who wants to win now and not in four or five years doesn't fit in this category.

It's not the first time Red Bull has faced this situation. In 2014, the team had a four-time world champion in Sebastian Vettel in its ranks, but a car and especially a Renault engine, that were not able to compete for the world title. According to Horner, Dietrich Mateschitz had told him at the time: 'We don't need the best driver if we don't have the best car.'

Although Horner is no longer at the helm, it's a beautiful insight into the mind of Dietrich Mateschitz. Mateschitz and Helmut Marko were two peas in a pod from day one and especially had one thing in common: they were crazy about Max Verstappen. Just like Vettel before, Marko would now also grant his protege Verstappen a transfer.

Those looking for a successor must also look at Red Bull's solution in 2015. Then it was decided to replace the departing Sebastian Vettel with the young Daniil Kvyat. He had just completed one year at Toro Rosso and received the promotion. At Toro Rosso, two talents were given the chance: Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.

With Daniel Ricciardo still in the other seat of Red Bull Racing, who had successfully replaced the experienced Mark Webber the year before, Red Bull entered the new cycle with four talents from its own academy. It proved to be a golden move, with four titles for Max Verstappen as a result.

With Helmut Marko firmly back in the saddle as leader of Red Bull Racing, it's plausible that Red Bull will opt for this strategy again. The problem now, however, is that next to Max Verstappen there's no one at Red Bull Racing who can stay. GPblog revealed earlier this week that Yuki Tsunoda will indeed be leaving the Austrian outfit. If Verstappen leaves, then Red Bull needs to fill two seats.

Therefore, it's logical that the two names that came forward in the analysis of who would replace Yuki Tsunoda, also emerge in this case: Arvid Lindblad and Isack Hadjar.

Hadjar proves week in, week out that he belongs in Formula 1. The Frenchman is fast over a single lap, he was almost already in front of Liam Lawson in almost every qualifying session and also knows how to bring home the points on Sundays. At Red Bull, they are especially surprised by the Frenchman's consistency, something he did not show in the junior classes.

Lindblad is potentially the new darling of Marko. The Brit has been called the biggest talent in the Red Bull academy by Marko for a few years now. Behind the scenes, Red Bull is also heavily preparing the young driver with tests in F1 cars, something Red Bull normally doesn't do. Then a talent is simply put in the car of Racing Bulls and has to show what he can do. The fact that Red Bull gives Lindblad so many test kilometres hints at a possible debut at Red Bull Racing, similar to what Mercedes and McLaren did with Antonelli and Piastri, respectively.

It would be an exceptionally young and inexperienced lineup for Red Bull Racing, but if the team expects to be behind the frontrunners or in the midfield over the first years, the team might not want a big name who immediately expects results. Besides, there are very few drivers available for Red Bull Racing.

As Carlos Sainz said in Silverstone when asked by GPblog, he would definitely stay at Williams should a seat become available at Red Bull. The same is true for teammate Alexander Albon. Also Nico Hulkenberg, previously considered by Red Bull, after his podium, will mainly focus on his future with Audi.

By the end of 2024, many drivers will have committed themselves to a new project for 2026. In 2025, those drivers can get to know their new team, to hopefully benefit in 2026. For Red Bull, this timing doesn't really work out. The only names that are available are those without an F1 seat.

The only 'big name' that might become available is George Russell. If Verstappen goes to Mercedes, Russell is the driver who would be left without a contract. Currently being fourth place in the world championship and with some good performances, it's unlikely that Russell will end up without a contract. But would he be given one by Red Bull?

After all, Red Bull is the brand of outspoken and adventurous characters. Youthfulness. You can say a lot about Russell, but not that he fits within that profile. Russell, combined with the always outspoken Helmut Marko, does not seem like a 'match made in heaven'.

And so, it seems most likely that Red Bull Racing will opt for its own talent at the start of a new cycle in 2026. If Verstappen decides to stay, then Red Bull can still rely on his experience and class, otherwise, it will have to start from scratch and hope that Lindblad indeed turns out to be 'the new Max Verstappen'.