[Saba Sports News] As uncertainty over Max Verstappen’s future continues to grow, discussions over who could replace him as Red Bull’s leading driver have intensified. However, former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has made it clear that Charles Leclerc is not a realistic option.
Although Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, he has repeatedly voiced his dissatisfaction with the current regulations. After qualifying only 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen showed rare doubt about his future. He admitted he is considering whether to continue in the sport, stating plainly that when he can no longer enjoy racing, he will re-evaluate what the sport means to him.
This stance has naturally sparked speculation about Red Bull’s future driver lineup. While Red Bull has traditionally relied on its junior program, neither rookie Isack Hadjar nor Arvid Lindblad, who has impressed with Toro Rosso, has so far shown the dominance needed to replace Verstappen. Against this backdrop, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari has been tipped as a potential candidate. Yet Ralf Schumacher has dismissed this idea. He pointed out that Red Bull is still in a phase of adjustment under the new regulatory cycle, its power unit project is not yet fully mature, and there is a degree of disarray within the team in terms of management and external communication. Under these circumstances, Red Bull is not particularly attractive.
In my opinion, if Red Bull fails to resolve its power integration and energy management issues before the mid-season mark, it could lose further drivers and sponsors. But if it can adapt to the rules of the “post-ground effect era” and restructure its development system, a return to the top remains possible.