Christian Horner has name-dropped George Russell when discussing future Red Bull driver options, insisting the reigning constructors' champion is willing to look outside the confines of its academy.
Red Bull has struggled to optimise its line-ups (including RB) over the past couple of seasons and with Daniel Ricciardo looking increasingly likely to be sidelined for Liam Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix, Horner is coming under scrutiny for the combined Milton Keynes-Faenza squads to get its pairings in order.
Sergio Perez's long-term future is also under threat, having underperformed throughout 2024. His and the Australian's struggles have left the joint teams in a difficult position and wanting to make changes.
Red Bull has seldom sought solutions from elsewhere in the F1 paddock, but given the relative success Perez has had at the team, when compared to Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon, the temptation to again dip outside its driver programme appears to be growing.
Russell is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of 2025 and with Kimi Antonelli joining him at the Brackley-based team next season, he could be at risk of losing his seat - if Max Verstappen were to become available.
"We're not afraid to go out of the [Red Bull driver] pool," Horner told Sky Sports F1.
"George Russell is out of contract at the end of next year. It'd be foolish not to take that into consideration. There are other drivers, talented drivers, that could well be out of contract, as well."
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Horner questions Lawson, builds up Lindblad
Regardless of whether Russell is at risk of getting shuffled out by Mercedes or not, Horner could proactively try to pouch him in a bid to slot the 26-year-old in alongside Verstappen.
Given his history with Toto Wolff, there is high potential for driver gamesmanship between the two next season, after the Austrian has made his feelings towards Horner's Dutch driver known.
Those scenarios still remain slim possibilities and Horner was quick to underline the strength the Red Bull driver academy has had, and continues to enjoy.
However, the Briton did call into question whether Lawson was top-level talent and ultimately ready to step up to the task, whilst indicating he would get the opportunity to prove himself again.
"We've given a great opportunity to so many youngsters over the period of time [it has been in F1]," the 50-year-old said.
"The Red Bull system, it does demand results and demand performance, and, of course, Max [Verstappen] is delivering. Checo [Sergio Perez] has been under-delivering this year.
"Last year, he did a good job, or good enough job, to finish second in the championship and [for Red Bull to] be constructors' champion.
"We're having to look further down the road. We've got some great talent, we've got Liam Lawson on the bench.
"We're not quite sure, looking at the likes of [Franco] Colapinto and [Oliver] Bearman and [Kimi] Antonelli, is he at that level? Only time will tell.
"We've got Isack Hadjar in Formula 2, who's been, until recently, leading that championship. We've got a very exciting young talent, that I'm particularly excited about, in F3, Arvid Lindblad.
"So, we've got depth in our junior programme, and that's why there's a natural point in time. We've got a gap now, but we just want to take time to consider what do those options look like for the future."
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