In a stunning revelation, a legendary figure in the world of Formula 1 has hinted that Red Bull Racing may have already identified a successor for their star driver, Max Verstappen. Despite being under contract until 2028, Verstappen’s future with the team appears uncertain, especially after a challenging start to the 2026 season.
Verstappen has yet to clinch a victory this year, grappling with the limitations of his RB22 car. His manager, Raymond Vermeulen, recently shed light on the contract, revealing that it includes performance-based exit clauses. This has raised eyebrows, as Red Bull has struggled to provide Verstappen with a competitive vehicle capable of contending for championships amidst the ongoing regulation changes in F1.
Over the past few years, various teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring Verstappen’s services, with McLaren emerging as a frontrunner. The Woking-based team has already secured the signing of Verstappen’s close ally and race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, for the 2028 season. This development has sparked speculation that McLaren’s Oscar Piastri could potentially make a switch to Red Bull, while other names like Oliver Bearman, Carlos Sainz, and Arvid Lindblad have also been mentioned as possible replacements for the four-time champion.
Adding fuel to the fire, former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya has weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Isack Hadjar might be the key to Red Bull’s future success. Montoya expressed doubts about Lindblad’s readiness for a promotion, indicating that Red Bull may have already found their long-term “new Verstappen” in Hadjar.
“Linblad is performing well, but others are shining brighter this season,” Montoya stated in an interview with AS Colombia. He noted that if Verstappen were to depart, Red Bull would face a pivotal decision regarding their driver lineup, weighing whether to promote Lindblad or explore other options.
With the departure of Helmut Marko, who traditionally made these crucial decisions, the dynamics within Red Bull are shifting. Montoya emphasized the importance of Hadjar, suggesting that he could be the one to lead Red Bull to future championships.
As the F1 landscape continues to evolve, fans are left wondering: who will ultimately take the wheel if Verstappen’s time at Red Bull comes to an end?
