Red Bull plan if Max Verstappen gets F1 ban as Daniel Ricciardo theory emerges
Max Verstappen is one penalty point away from a Formula 1 race ban and Red Bull will have to have a plan in place in the event the Dutchman has another run-in with the stewards
Red Bull have a plan in place in the event they need to find a one-off replacement for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is one penalty point away from a Formula 1 race ban after colliding with George Russell in Barcelona last Sunday and must now be on his best behaviour.
Two of the 11 penalty points on his licence will expire at the end of this month. But, until then, he will be walking a tightrope at the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix – a single penalty point gained at either of those races would trigger an automatic one-race ban under FIA rules.
But in the event that does happen, Red Bull will not be turning to former drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo or Sergio Perez. Despite hopeful reports in the Australian media suggesting Ricciardo could be on for a one-off F1 return to help out his former employer, Mirror Sport can confirm that will not happen.
It is understood that Red Bull believe it is unlikely that they will have to choose a temporary replacement for Verstappen. But, if they must, then it will be a current Red Bull driver who gets the nod to step up.
They don't have a named reserve driver but it is understood that either Liam Lawson, who was Verstappen's team-mate for two races earlier this season before he was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, or Isack Hadjar would be selected to step up from sister team Racing Bulls to take the Dutchman's place if required.
Red Bull would then turn to one of their academy drivers to fill in at Racing Bulls. That would be either Ayumu Iwasa, the official reserve for the junior squad, or the impressive British teenager Arvid Lindblad.
READ MORE: Red Bull won't rule out Yuki Tsunoda losing seat to F1 star who 'exceeded all expectation' READ MORE: Max Verstappen's Red Bull contract release, Helmut Marko clause, Ralf Schumacher theory
However, the latter is not currently eligible to take part in an F1 race weekend. Because he is still only 17, Lindblad would need special dispensation from the FIA to receive his superlicence early. It is understood that Red Bull has made that request to the governing body in order to broaden their options.
As for the Red Bull seat itself, Lawson is the more experienced of the two options to fill in for Verstappen, but buckled under the pressure of racing for the top team earlier this year. Team-mate Hadjar, meanwhile, has been very impressive since making the step up from Formula 2.
The Frenchman has scored 21 points so far in his rookie season and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner showered Hadjar with praise when he said of Hadjar: "I think he's been the most outstanding of the rookies.
"The expectation on him wasn't as high as he's delivered so far. He's exceeded all our expectations, he's been fast, he's been consistent. He's constantly delivered, and I think it's been a great start to his Formula 1 career. He just needs to keep that momentum running. His future, if he keeps performing as he is, is very bright."
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