Life After Max: Inside Red Bull Racing’s Explosive Shortlist to Replace Verstappen in 2027
The unthinkable might actually happen in Formula 1. After years of unprecedented dominance and a partnership that seemed destined to break every record in the sport’s history, Max Verstappen has signaled that he could potentially leave Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2026 season. It is a terrifying prospect for the team based in Milton Keynes. When you build an entire empire around a generational talent, the prospect of his departure leaves a gaping void. But a championship-winning organization like Red Bull doesn’t just sit back and wait for disaster to strike. They are undoubtedly already plotting their contingencies.
Even with a slower start to the current campaign, Red Bull retains immense pulling power. They have the resources, the engineering pedigree, and the brand prestige to attract almost any driver on the grid. So, if the reigning world champion decides to walk away, who actually steps into the most high-pressure seat in motorsport? The rumor mill is already in overdrive, and the shortlist features a staggering mix of established superstars, redemption-seeking veterans, and teenage prodigies.
One of the most heavily discussed names at the top of Red Bull’s wish list is Oscar Piastri. Even under their previous management regime, Red Bull were known to be massive admirers of the young Australian. While Piastri is tightly bound to McLaren with a contract running until 2028—which would require an astronomical buyout fee—he represents exactly the kind of long-term investment Red Bull covets. At just 25 years old, Piastri has firmly established himself as a championship-caliber driver, having narrowly missed out on the title to Lando Norris last year.
Replacing Max Verstappen is an almost impossible task, but Piastri possesses a remarkably similar profile: ruthless consistency, icy calmness under pressure, and the raw speed to be a multi-time world champion. For Piastri, the allure of Red Bull would be clear. At McLaren, he is constantly sharing points and the spotlight with Norris. Moving to Red Bull would allow him to be the undisputed focal point of a team that knows exactly how to galvanize around a single driver. Furthermore, his manager is former Red Bull star Mark Webber, a man who knows the inner workings of the Milton Keynes squad better than almost anyone, potentially making negotiations incredibly smooth.
Then there is the ultimate wild card: Charles Leclerc. It is no secret that Leclerc loves Ferrari. He is deeply embedded in the romance of Maranello, and winning a single championship in red would arguably mean more to him than winning multiple elsewhere. But romance doesn’t win trophies. How long can Leclerc wait for Ferrari to deliver a consistently dominant car? If Ferrari continues to stall in its development race, wasting the prime years of his career, the temptation to jump ship could become overwhelming.
If Red Bull comes calling, Leclerc is the closest thing to a like-for-like replacement for Verstappen. He is arguably the fastest driver over a single lap on the entire grid and immediately brings a championship-level ceiling. Leaving Ferrari for Red Bull would be a monumental shift in the F1 landscape, but history suggests it might be his best chance at finally securing the world title he desperately craves.
While the pursuit of Leclerc or Piastri would require major contractual gymnastics, Carlos Sainz represents a much more straightforward—and equally brilliant—option. Back in 2024, when Sainz was surprisingly on the market, many believed Red Bull made a massive error by not securing his signature. At the time, internal politics and a historically strained relationship with the Verstappen camp kept the door firmly shut. But if Max leaves in 2026, those hurdles instantly vanish.
Sainz has continued to prove his undeniable class. Even in a disappointing 2026 Williams car, he has miraculously dragged the machinery to multiple podium finishes, reminding the paddock that on his day, he can outdrive anyone. Sainz brings race-winning pedigree, unmatched professionalism, and the proven ability to thrive under immense pressure. For Red Bull, bringing Sainz back into the fold would be a zero-risk, high-reward move to stabilize the team in a post-Verstappen era.
However, Red Bull’s entire philosophy has always been built on promoting from within their ruthless junior academy. If they want to create their next Verstappen, 18-year-old sensation Arvid Lindblad is the undisputed favorite. Lindblad has enjoyed a sensational start to his rookie F1 campaign. He scored points on his debut in Australia, outqualified his more experienced teammate, and has shown an incredibly aggressive racing style. He wasn’t afraid to go wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen himself in China, displaying the exact kind of fearless aggression Red Bull demands. Given the immense financial and temporal investment Red Bull has poured into Lindblad since his karting days, it feels almost inevitable that he will get his shot at the top team; the only question is whether he will be ready by 2027.
If Lindblad needs more time baking in the midfield oven, Red Bull might look at another young talent: Gabriel Bortoleto. Currently driving for Audi, Bortoleto is a back-to-back F3 and F2 champion who possesses blistering raw pace. Interestingly, Verstappen himself reportedly told Red Bull to keep an eye on the Brazilian long before he signed with Audi. As close friends off the track, Verstappen putting in a good word for Bortoleto could be a massive factor. While it would be a gamble, Bortoleto’s high ceiling makes him an intriguing outsider.
Finally, there is the ultimate redemption arc: Pierre Gasly. Gasly famously drove for Red Bull for half a season in 2019 before being unceremoniously demoted. But Gasly is no longer that fragile young driver. He has matured tremendously, both as a person and a competitor, often single-handedly carrying Alpine over the past few years. He is currently having a brilliant 2026 season, scoring points in every single race. With a completely different management structure now in place at Red Bull, the ghosts of 2019 could be laid to rest. While he might not be the long-term franchise player like Piastri or Leclerc, Gasly could be the perfect, high-quality, short-term bridge to keep Red Bull competitive while their next young superstar develops.
The 2027 driver market is shaping up to be the most chaotic and unpredictable silly season in recent memory. Whether Red Bull throws a massive chequebook at a proven superstar, brings home a former exile, or trusts a fearless teenager, one thing is absolutely certain: life after Max Verstappen is going to be wildly entertaining.
