Max Verstappen 'replacement' named as F1 future uncertain

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has named the driver who looks most likely to replace Max Verstappen as the grid's benchmark competitor when he opts to walk away from the sport.

Verstappen has endured a miserable start to the new campaign as Red Bull compete off the front-running order.

However, the four-time champion has voiced major distaste for the new-for-2026 cars, which have been built under a fresh set of technical regulations.

Verstappen has highlighted his lack of satisfaction over driving a car that heavily relies on energy management and deployment to overtake a rival.

When asked if Verstappen walking away would be damaging for F1, Herbert exclusively told RacingNews365 at the launch of the Lola T70 at the Royal Automobile Club: “I would say yes to a degree, if you do it from his fans. 

“If you do it from my experiences of when we lost Ayrton [Senna], when Michael [Prost] retired, when Alain Prost retired, or Mika Hakkinen retired, they always get replaced.”

As for who would take over as the grid's most imposing driver, Herbert pointed to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli who has enjoyed a lightning start to the new year with two wins in three races. 

“There's always the next one,” Herbert said. And who is the next one at the present time? Kimi.

“He's the next generation that's going to be coming along. Will he be better than Max? Potentially.

“Everything for me was always Ayrton. And then Lewis came along, and he sort of done what Michael [did] and then there's that bigger jump with performance. 

“And then Max has come along, and it's another jump in performance. So they always get better and that never stops. 

“Kimi potentially, is the next one who's going to do exactly the same thing. So there's your replacement.

“There's your 'wow' driver that comes into it.”

As Verstappen mulls over his F1 future, Herbert acknowledged he would be missed from the sport should he decide to leave.

“Yes, he'd be missed, absolutely,” he said. “I hope he sort of keeps his feet and bottom in the cockpit.

“I don't want him to leave because I love what he does. “He's got that 'wow factor' about him. There are occasions when even I go, 'wow, I couldn't do that'.

“And that's what's brilliant and that's what it should be. So I hope he doesn't, but I can understand why he's got that 'I'm not getting the buzz'. 

“I hope not, but they always get replaced, from my experience.”