Red Bull Racing could face a major change if the possibility of Max Verstappen leaving the category at the end of the current Formula 1 season is confirmed. Given this scenario, former driver and current commentator Martin Brundle issued a direct warning to the team about how it should act in the search for a replacement.
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Verstappen indicated that he could leave F1 at the end of the 2026 championship, citing his dissatisfaction with the new cars. The departure of the four-time champion would leave a significant gap in Red Bull Racing’s structure, forcing the team to find a name capable of taking on the leading role.
In recent years, Red Bull has tested several drivers alongside the Dutchman, but many have struggled to keep up with his performance. According to Brundle, the way the team handled these situations was not ideal, especially considering the internal pressure.
“Everyone was undermined by Verstappen’s brilliance and the culture that existed there,” the former driver told Sky F1. He also highlighted the team’s internal environment, mentioning direct contact with names like Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, suggesting that the experience was not easy for the drivers.
Brundle compared this scenario with the treatment given by Mercedes to Kimi Antonelli during a complicated period in 2025: “If you look at the affection Mercedes gave Antonelli when he was out of the points for nine races last year, it shows how this approach works much better,” he said.
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Despite the difficulties at Red Bull, some former drivers managed to rebuild their careers in other teams. Cases such as those of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon were cited as examples of names who gained a reputation after leaving the team.
Brundle also included other names on this list, such as Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson, reinforcing that the team should not discard drivers just because they have already been with the team. At the same time, he highlighted that Isack Hadjar may be in a more comfortable position to evolve and learn.
“You need to make mistakes. I can see that if Red Bull needs a driver, they will have to consider someone like Sainz or Gasly. If they cut everyone out of the equation because they’ve been there before, that would be missing an opportunity,” the former driver concluded.
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