Should Red Bull promote own talent if Max Verstappen leaves?

Max Verstappen's increasingly public contemplation of retirement at the end of 2026 has thrust Red Bull into an uncomfortable position—one the team has faced countless times before, yet never quite at this magnitude.

The four-time world champion has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with F1's current regulations, saying: "I want to be here to have fun, have a great time, and enjoy myself. At the moment, that's not really the case."

More tellingly, when pressed on whether he would walk away at the end of the year, his response was stark: "That's what I'm saying," added Verstappen. "I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock."

For a driver who has delivered seven championships to the Milton Keynes-based team, his potential departure represents an existential crisis for Red Bull.

Yet the outfit has always prided itself on its driver development programme, a system that has produced 18 F1 drivers, including Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Verstappen himself.

It raises a crucial question: would it look within its own programme or outside it if Verstappen needs replacing?

Liam Lawson has accumulated 10 points through three races and sits 10th in the standings but was, of course, demoted from a Red Bull seat after just two grands prix last year.

Arvid Lindblad has perhaps impressed more relative to expectations. The 18-year-old rookie scored points on debut in Australia, finishing eighth while battling Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Verstappen.

Beyond the current grid, Nikola Tsolov leads the F2 standings after winning in Melbourne, while Ayumu Iwasa combines Super Formula duties with his reserve role, bringing valuable development experience.

There is also, of course, Yuki Tsunoda, who was demoted to a reserve role after Isack Hadjar took his seat this year alongside Verstappen.

The decision may ultimately be academic if Verstappen decides to stay, but should Red Bull look within its own programme or outside the organisation if a replacement for 2027 is needed?

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