Max Verstappen F1 News: Red Bull replacement favourite NAMED

Red Bull drivers situation — Photo: © IMAGO

Max Verstappen

Verstappen Red Bull replacement favourite NAMED

Some huge claims have been made regarding Max Verstappen's future replacement

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson

Monday 23 December 2024 19:28 Updated: 20:37

Red Bull reportedly have major driver plans in place over the next few seasons, including how they might replace Max Verstappen should he depart.

2024 provided a mixed year for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with the team losing their dominant status in the sport, but at the same time, still securing the drivers' championship through star driver Verstappen.

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Red Bull's downfall was made clear by their third-place finish in the constructors' standings, with the team acting swiftly to replace Sergio Perez for 2025 after the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Liam Lawson is now set to partner four-time champion Verstappen next campaign, although, according to one claim, he may not be there for long.

Max Verstappen became a four time world champion in 2024

Liam Lawson has replaced Sergio Perez at Red Bull

Will Max Verstappen leave Red Bull?

Lawson's move to Red Bull condemns Yuki Tsunoda to yet another year at Visa Cash App RB — Red Bull's junior team — although Sky Sports Germany commentator Sascha Roos believes the Japanese driver will soon be on the move.

"I can see Yuki Tsunoda ending up at Aston Martin sooner or later,” Roos wrote on Sky Germany.

“Tsunoda is supported by Honda and they will be Aston Martin’s engine supplier from 2026."

Offering further insight into Red Bull's transfer plans, Roos tipped the team to sign one of the sport's up-and-coming stars to cover off the chance that Verstappen could leave at any moment.

"I believe that Red Bull would also like to sign Oscar Piastri," Roos added.

Could we see Oscar Piastri in Red Bull colours in the future?

"There are of course good connections to his manager, the former Red Bull driver Mark Webber. And with Verstappen, you always have to expect him to say, 'Bye, thanks, that’s it’.

“The current state of Red Bull is not great. If they hadn’t scored the maximum points in the first five or six races, Verstappen wouldn’t have become world champion.”

This is not the first time that Piastri has been linked with Red Bull, after Helmut Marko claimed earlier this season that Mark Webber was seeking talks about the driver he manages and a move to the team.

Piastri later claimed that he had no knowledge of this, however.

The 23-year-old is currently contracted to constructors' champions McLaren until the end of the 2026 season.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Mercedes