'It would have worked well' - Surprise F1 driver labelled perfect Red Bull fit

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has named an alternative driver that Red Bull should have looked to when they replaced Sergio Perez.

Perez and Red Bull parted ways at the end of the 2024 season following a difficult campaign for the Mexican.

The team opted to promote Liam Lawson to the squad, only for the New Zealander to last just two rounds before being dropped in favour of Yuki Tsunoda, whose debut with the team occurs in Japan this weekend.

However, the driver merry-go-round could have been avoided if Red Bull had looked to Nico Hulkenberg, according to Schumacher.

“I would have chosen to get outside help if that had been possible," Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. 

“The mistake from the beginning was not to put Hulkenberg in the car. That was a decision by Christian Horner, who apparently didn't want him. That's what I heard. 

“They needed a clear, experienced number two next to Verstappen. I think that would have worked well because Nico is great in qualifying and the race.”

Hulkenberg currently races for Stake, signing to the squad ahead of its transition to Audi next year.

As Hulkenberg was overlooked for a Red Bull drive, Schumacher has claimed Williams star substitute Franco Colapinto was a real option for the team before his crashes late in the year.

“I think Horner really wanted Colapinto,” he said. “But he ruined it for himself with three crashes in the last races of 2024. 

“Then you also have Helmut Marko, who said at the time that they would pass on a junior. Personally, I don't see why you would put a junior next to Max now.”