Three realistic Verstappen replacements at Red Bull nobody is talking about

The past week has been dominated by a flurry of driver market speculation, even though nothing has been announced yet.

The 2026 Formula 1 grid is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the sport's history in terms of overall talent, featuring multiple world champions in the latter stages of their careers, drivers at their peak, and a new generation of rising stars, many of whom are already shaping both the present and the future of Formula 1.

Approaching his 45th birthday in just over two weeks, Alonso still has the hunger of a rookie. The two-time world champion was briefly linked with a move to Red Bull a few years ago, but ultimately remained committed to Aston Martin. So far, however, that decision has failed to deliver the expected results, with the exception of the impressive 2023 campaign, despite the high hopes surrounding the team's Adrian Newey-led 2026 project.

The Spaniard has yet to make a decision on his future, and with time no longer on his side, it is becoming increasingly clear that the final chapter of his Formula 1 career is approaching. As things stand, his long-awaited dream of securing a third world title looks more like a distant hope than a realistic target. For Red Bull, signing a driver of Alonso's calibre would help soften the blow of losing someone like Verstappen, while also giving the two-time world champion one final opportunity to chase the success that has eluded him for so long.

Having begun his Formula 1 career through Red Bull's junior programme, the Spaniard ultimately took a different path from the one usually followed by the academy's top prospects. His future with the team changed in 2016, when Red Bull opted to promote Verstappen in his place following Daniil Kvyat's demotion.

Since then, Sainz has raced for a wide range of teams, from midfield outfits such as Renault and Williams to front-running giants like McLaren and Ferrari. At every stop, he has consistently made a positive impact, often leaving his teams in a stronger position than when he joined.

Now 31, the Madrid-born driver is firmly in the prime of his career and knows the Williams project could cost him valuable years if James Vowles and his team fail to unlock its potential after a season that has so far proved difficult. If Red Bull were looking for a proven, experienced driver with an established track record at top teams, there are few stronger candidates than him.

The riskiest option of the three, but arguably the one with the highest long-term upside. The young British driver earned a reputation throughout the junior categories for his exceptional raw speed, although it was often accompanied by inconsistency and costly mistakes.

His rookie Formula 1 campaign, however, has been close to flawless. Lindblad has shown impressive pace on almost every weekend, made very few errors and displayed a level of composure far beyond his years. While comparisons across generations are never entirely fair, if Red Bull were looking for the closest thing to a new Verstappen, few candidates would fit the profile better.