Perfect Verstappen replacement at Red Bull singled out 'if money no object'

The Monegasque has spent virtually his entire career at Ferrari, aside from his rookie season with Alfa Romeo in 2018 before stepping up alongside Vettel the following year.

However, despite belonging to the same generation, Leclerc has achieved far less in terms of victories compared to Verstappen, even though both have consistently performed at an extremely high level.

For Jolyon Palmer, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Leclerc would be the standout choice to replace Verstappen if money were no object, pointing to his long-standing role at Ferrari and his exceptional natural talent. He also suggested that if Ferrari fail to prove they can fight for the title this season, Leclerc could become a driver tempted to look elsewhere.

Ralf Schumacher believes a move to Red Bull as Verstappen’s replacement would not be the right career step for Leclerc. Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the former German driver suggested it would be far wiser for Leclerc to remain at Ferrari.

In his view, Red Bull’s current situation does not make it an attractive option, describing it as a long-term project still in development, particularly on the power unit side. He also pointed to a lack of structure and clarity within the team, highlighting internal instability and limited external communication.

Schumacher further questioned the logic of Leclerc leaving Ferrari just as the team begins to find its footing again. He added that Ferrari would also be unlikely to entertain such a move, especially with the need to plan for the future and build around a younger driver, making Leclerc a key long-term asset rather than someone to let go.