Red Bull weigh up potential candidates if Max Verstappen faces F1 race ban
MAX VERSTAPPEN is just one point away from a race ban after ramming into George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix last time out.
The Dutchman must be on his
Advertisement
6
Verstappen admitted ramming into Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix was "not right"
Credit: PA
He was slapped with his first two penalty points in the current rolling 12-month period after last year's Austrian Grand Prix on June 30.
Verstappen will be teetering on the edge of a ban until after the Mexican Grand Prix on 27 October
There has been wide speculation over who will step into the Red Bull hot seat if the Dutchman is suspended, so SunSport gives you everything you need to know on the potential candidates.
Advertisement
6
Isack Hadjar has finished in the points in five of the nine races this season
Credit: Alamy
ISACK HADJAR
The French-Algerian 20-year-old has impressed in his rookie campaign for Racing Bulls.
He has enjoyed a meteoric rise from being
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Advertisement
Since then he has finished in the points in five of the nine races this season and and secured a glittering fifth in qualifying in the Monaco show piece.
Most read in Sport
The last rookie to achieve that feat was seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
It is early days yet but Hadjar's aggressive driving style has been compared to Verstappen's fierce approach.
He also tested the 2024 car and found it "comfortable" rather than tricky like many others who have sat in the Red Bull cockpit.
Advertisement
When Red Bull boss Christian Horner was asked about Hadjar, he said: "I think he's been the most outstanding rookie. He's exceeded all of our expectations.
"He's been fast, consistent, and constantly delivered. His future, if he keeps performing as he is, is very bright."
6
Liam Lawson was axed as Red Bull's No2 driver after just two races this season
Credit: Getty
LIAM LAWSON
The Kiwi 23-year-old isn't completely off the radar despite suffering a woeful TWO-RACE stint as a Red Bull driver at the start of this season.
Advertisement
He suffered three early exits in all three qualifying sessions, including the sprint, and didn't bag a single point before
However, Lawson has experience with this season's car and that could boost his credentials when weighing up the options for a one-off race.
Things are looking up for the Racing Bulls driver too with him securing his first points in Monaco.
6
Daniel Ricciardo was bought back into the Red Bull family in 2023 to race for their junior team
Credit: EPA
Advertisement
DANIEL RICCIARDO
This is a huge blast from the past but Aussie maestro Ricciardo, 35, is a wild shout to fill in for Verstappen.
Afterall, he is an experienced, senior head in the paddock, remains a favourite of Horner and has bags of experience with the team.
Ricciardo knows the team inside and out, having spent two seasons with the junior side before enjoying five years as a Red Bull driver.
He won seven grands prix racing alongside both Red Bull legends Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
Advertisement
Horner bought him back into the Red Bull family at the end of 2023 with the then-junior team Alpha Tauri before he was dropped for Liam Lawson the following year.
6
Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa filled in for Verstappen in FP1 in Bahrain this year
Credit: Rex
AYUMU IWASA
The Japanese Super Formula driver has been part of the team's junior drivers' programme since 2021.
Marko said at the start of the season:
"We have Ayumu Iwasa as our reserve driver'
with the 23-year-old an F3 and F2 race winner.
Advertisement
It is a big shout for him to replace Verstappen for a one-off race though with his more likely destination being a stand in driver for Racing Bulls.
He filled in for Verstappen in FP1 at this year's Bahrain Grand Prix, and made his Racing Bulls debut in practise in Suzuka last year.
6
Brit driver Arvid Lindblad has been making waves in Red Bull's junior programme
Credit: Getty
ARVID LINDBLAD
The 17-year-old Brit is a future star of Red Bull, having been with the team for four-years.
Advertisement
He continues to make waves this season, making his debut in F2 for Camps Racing, as part of Red Bull's junior team.
He stood on top of the podium this season for the Saudi Arabian sprint race and in Spain last time out.
It would still be a huge step up to be thrust into the Red Bull seat and his age is also a barrier.
The FIA announced in 2016 that an F1 driver must be at least 18 unless they are "judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition".
Advertisement
Read more on the Irish Sun
Earlier this year Helmut Marko revealed they had applied for an exemption from the FIA's ruling that drivers under the age of 18 are not eligible to receive a super license.
They want to promote Lindblad to official reserve driver status so he may be well be on the F1 grid soon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle miss out on Top 14 play-off place
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle missed out on a place in the Top 14 play-offs for the first time since 2017 as they lost 32-15 at Pau to slip down to seventh in the table, one point behind Castres. On a tense final regular season night, in which the lead at Stade du Hameau changed hands more than once, two late tries decided the result in favour of the home side, who claimed the eighth and final Champions Cup place. O'Gara's side were the big losers at the play-off race on a final night when all seven games kicked off at the same time. They were overtaken by Clermont who climbed to fifth with a 23-10 win at Montpellier, while Castres – who had started the night in fifth place – held on to the last play-off place by the skin of their teeth thanks to the result in Pau. Bayonne will host Clermont in the first barrage-round match on Friday night, while Toulon will entertain Castres in the second on Saturday evening. The winners of the first barrage match will face Toulouse at Lyon's Groupama Stadium on June 20. The winners of the second match will take on Bordeaux at the same venue 24 hours later. The Basque side maintained their perfect home record with an 18-10 win over Toulon to claim a first-ever play-off place. It was the visitors' fourth defeat in five run-in matches. At the other end of the table, meanwhile, Vannes' one-season Top 14 adventure ended in a 59-28 loss at Bordeaux. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Damian Penaud and Nicolas Depoortere all scored twice for the new Champions Cup holders to condemn the Bretons to an immediate return to the ProD2. Vannes' place will be taken next season by Montauban – who return to the French top flight for the first time since 2010, after a surprise 24-19 victory over favourites Grenoble in the ProD2 final at Stade Ernest Wallon. Grenoble – who have now lost three ProD2 finals in a row will now host Perpignan at Stade des Alpes next weekend. The Catalans beat Top 14 leaders Toulouse 42-35 in a thrilling encounter at Stade Aime Giral – but it was in vain as Stade Francais' beat Castres 21-10 in a penalty-ridden encounter at Stade Jean Bouin. Meanwhile, Lyon's season petered out with a fifth defeat in a row – they lost 34-47 at home against Racing 92 in a match that had little impact on the table.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Coco Gauff becomes first US French Open champion since Serena Williams with stunning comeback win over Aryna Sabalenka
COCO GAUFF became the first American singles winner of the French Open since Serena Williams as she overpowered fuming Aryna Sabalenka in Paris. For the first time in a decade, the Roland Garros women's crown will be in United States hands as Gauff came from a set behind on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Advertisement 10 Coco Gauff became the first American for ten years to win the French Open Credit: AP 10 She beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets at Roland Garros Credit: AFP 10 Gauff got her hands on the trophy - and sealed it with a kiss Credit: AFP 10 Sabalenka broke down in tears during her runner-up speech Credit: AP Under an open roof, in a final that pitted the No1 versus the No2 seed, the 21-year-old won 6-7 6-2 6-4 after more than two-and-a-half hours, with Manchester United legend Eric Cantona watching from the front-row seats. Gauff, who lost to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final, fell to the floor when it was all over and started to cry, mouthing: "Oh my God, oh my God." This is Gauff's second major championship win, the last one coming It was tense and suspenseful but not the best quality final. Advertisement That will matter little for the Yanks as Gauff took possession of the trophy on the biggest clay-court arena in the world. Tenacious Sabalenka, who has a tiger tattoo on her left forearm, managed to come from 4-1 down in the first-set tie break to move 1-0 up after 80 minutes of intense play. It was the first time the opening set of the women's singles final in the French capital had been decided at the tie-break since 1998 when Arantxa Sanchez Vicario faced Monica Seles. Yet world No2 Gauff won 12 of the next 18 games, banking the £2.1million top prize on her second match point in slightly bizarre fasion. Advertisement Most read in Tennis Exclusive Her forehand looked for all the world to be heading long but bounced on the line as Sabalenka had to readjust to keep the rally going but on her next shot pushed a backhand wide of the tramline as Gauff collapsed on to the clay in delight. The Florida-born star is the first American to win the Roland Garros singles title since Williams in 2015. Behind-the-scenes US Open footage shows furious Aryna Sabalenka repeatedly smashing racket after crushing final loss And she is also the youngest American conqueror since the retired 23-time Grand Slam champion was successful in 2002 aged 20. World No1 Sabalenka, as she often does, cut a frustrated figure as things went against her, screaming out obscenities to her box, and failing to find any inspiration to stop the tie turning in her opponent's favour. Advertisement Gauff hugged film director Spike Lee before going up to her players' box to celebrate with her family. Handed the trophy by Belgium's four-time French Open champion Justine Henin, Gauff said: 'I'd like to thank God. I went through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago. 'I'm happy to be here. It means a lot to win this. Aryna, you are a fighter. 'I know that sometimes I am not the easiest person and I can be so serious but my team reminds me there is more to life. And that plays me better on court. Advertisement 'Thanks also to my parents. Keeping me grounded and giving me the belief that I can do this.' Sabalenka could not bear to watch the highlights of the contest that was replayed on the TV screens and covered her face with a towel in her seat. When she spoke to the crowd, she broke down in tears, before saying: 'This hurts so much. 'Especially after such a tough two weeks, playing great tennis and then in these different conditions, we showed terrible tennis in the final – that really hurts. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun 'Coco congrats. In these tough conditions, you were a better player than me. Well deserved. You are a fighter and a hard worker. 'Thank you my team for your support. I am sorry for this terrible final. As always, I will come back stronger." 10 Gauff managed to edge the victory in tricky, windy conditions Credit: Getty 10 Sabalenka's frustrations were clear to see Credit: Getty Advertisement 10 Eric Cantona was on the front row inside Court Philippe-Chatrier Credit: Getty 10 Gauff collapsed out on the clay in celebration Credit: Getty 10 Her roar at the end was full of sheer joy and delight Credit: Reuters 10 Gauff immediately went to celebrate with mum Candi and dad Corey Credit: Reuters Advertisement
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Genius ITV Racing pundit hits bookies for over £1MILLION with outrageous 8,249-1 Epsom Derby bet
GENIUS ITV Racing pundit Kevin Blake helped punters hit the bookies for over £1MILLION - with his outrageous 8,249-1 tip. Race planner Blake - who a few years ago put up an 1 ITV Racing pundit Kevin Blake helped punters hit the bookies for over £1million with his unbelievable Epsom Derby bet Credit: PA With a load of the big guns failing, it was tough enough finding 13-2 winner Lambourn. But Blake tipped up the One odds compiler at Coral called the trixie - a bet where you pick the first three finishers in that exact order - the greatest punt he had seen in 25 years. It turned what was a winning race for the bookies into a huge losing one. And the firm's David Stevens said: "It may have been the threat of considerable rainfall that sparked the support for the proven stayer Lambourn, but even without a notable downpour, the Cheshire Vase winner controlled the race from start to finish, and an SP of 13-2 confirmed that he was not without support on the biggest betting day of the Flat season. "Whilst the winner alone was not the worst result in the Derby book though, further pain was inflicted by Kevin Blake, who incredibly put up the tricast on ITV's The Opening Show, an outcome that paid a whopping £8,294.72 for £1. "Plenty of viewers followed Kevin's advice, to our considerable cost." And Paddy Power's Paul Binfield said: "The actual result was fine as our traders thought that the winner was likely to hit the frame and, in addition, he was towards the bottom half of our field book. Most read in Horse Racing "However, an extra place on the race as well as Kevin Blake brilliantly tipping the tricast meant that it was a small losing contest for us." Commenting on the punt on the coverage, co-presenter Oli Bell said: "I've heard from the trading floor at Coral that they have lost over a million pounds on the tricast on your selections." While Blake said: "I was due one!" More to follow. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
