Damon Hill names the surprise driver he’d pair with Max Verstappen if he were ‘running Red Bull’

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The identity of who will be Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing teammate for the 2026 Formula 1 season is still unknown.

While Max Verstappen launches an incredible comeback to try and win his fifth consecutive drivers’ championship, team principal Laurent Mekies and chief advisor Helmut Marko have another decision to make.

Yuki Tsunoda scored more points at the United States Grand Prix than during any other race weekend since being promoted to Red Bull.

Unfortunately, his two seventh-place finishes were only enough to promote him to 16th in the championship, 278 points behind Verstappen.

Tsunoda’s chances of staying at Red Bull for 2026 are dwindling, and he may only have the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix left to prove that he deserves another season alongside Verstappen.

Isack Hadjar is considered the frontrunner to replace Tsunoda, although he had a tough weekend in Austin, which highlighted how he may not be ready for such a step up just yet.

Damon Hill was speaking with commentator Harry Benjamin after the race in Austin and highlighted how well Sauber star Nico Hulkenberg drove.

He’s suggested that the experienced German wouldn’t be the worst teammate for Verstappen at Red Bull going forward…

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Damon Hill says Nico Hulkenberg would be a good Red Bull teammate for Max Verstappen

As they looked back on Sunday’s race, Benjamin said: “My other shout out goes to Nico Hulkenberg, P8, first points since the podium, unbelievable.

“Makes you think what he could have achieved in the Sprint, having started from fourth.

Hill replied: “I know that’s real chagrin, isn’t it? I mean, what a great result, though, fourth in the Sprint qualifying.

“So, the old dog, he’s still got the opportunity. He’s still showing… what would happen if you put him in a front-running car?”

Benjamin then asked: “The second Red Bull seat?”

Hill responded: “Yeah, I mean, why not? Why not?

“I mean, if I were running Red Bull, I’d go, let’s give him a go. Come on. I think he gets on well with Max as well, doesn’t he?”

Benjamin added: “I think they get on very well, actually. It’s not the worst decision in the world!”

READ MORE: Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg’s life outside F1 from wife to height

​​https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pPTpSgjUHOlOiAIyHlZr7?si=ScEZ3f05TAe6RvOyeqrv2Q

How close did Nico Hulkenberg come to becoming a Red Bull driver?

Hulkenberg finally secured his first Formula 1 podium at the British Grand Prix, beating Lewis Hamilton in front of thousands of the seven-time world champion’s fans at Silverstone.

Verstappen was quick to congratulate Hulkenberg on his third-place finish, and the pair are good friends away from Formula 1.

The 38-year-old has never driven for a top F1 team, instead plying his trade for a host of different midfield outfits since his debut in 2010.

However, Helmut Marko has revealed how close Red Bull came to signing Hulkenberg before they eventually decided to hire Sergio Perez.

It would have been fascinating to see how the German would have fared alongside Verstappen if they were teammates.

Perez started to struggle in qualifying compared to Verstappen at the end of his time at Red Bull, while this has always been one of Hulkenberg’s biggest strengths.

Ralf Schumacher suggested Hulkenberg should have been considered for a Red Bull seat this season, but it looks like the veteran’s chances of ever making that step up are likely over.