Red Bull have ‘insurance policy’ driver line-up for 2026 if Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez leave

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Red Bull are facing more questions about their driver line-up than any of their Formula 1 rivals. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez could both leave, albeit for very different reasons.

Verstappen is planning to leave before 2026 if Red Bull’s performance doesn’t improve next year. He’s set to win a fourth consecutive drivers’ championship, but he’s seen the team lose their way this year.

A high-profile exodus, led by legendary designer Adrian Newey, has sewn uncertainty over the team’s long-term prospects. The consequences may already be emerging.

Verstappen has only won one of the last 11 races – and he relied on his supreme talent at a sodden Interlagos to do so – because Red Bull’s upgrades have failed them. Concerned by the team’s trajectory, he could place his faith in Mercedes for 2026.

That endangers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, but Toto Wolff will happily stick with the academy graduates if he misses out on Verstappen. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are committed to Ferrari for at least two seasons.

Likewise, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are locked into McLaren for the time being. Red Bull, though, could have a vacancy to fill within weeks as the underperforming Perez looks increasingly unlikely to keep his seat.

Red Bull could pair Liam Lawson with Franco Colapinto in 2026

According to Speedcafe, an Australian outlet, Red Bull’s interest in Franco Colapinto is part of a ‘double insurance policy’ for 2026. Perez may be off the grid by then, while Verstappen could be racing for another team.

One potential backup plan is to hire Colapinto and Liam Lawson. They’re two of the most exciting young talents in motorsport right now.

While there’s no indication that Verstappen has made a firm decision just yet, Red Bull know it would be ‘foolish’ not to ‘put plans in place’. Helmut Marko is also keen on Oscar Piastri, but he’s more of an aspirational target.

The likeliest outcome, given that he’s already impressing within the Red Bull stable, is Lawson partnering Verstappen in 2025. Colapinto could slot into RB and graduate if he puts together a strong debut season.

Why it would be ‘painful’ if Franco Colapinto joins Red Bull

Williams can’t offer Colapinto a seat for 2025 because they’ve already signed Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. But there remains confidence that he’ll be on the grid next year.

Indeed, Colapinto’s manager says he has a ’20 out of 10′ chance of finding a seat. Red Bull will need to agree a ‘transfer fee’ to make that happen.

As it stands, Christian Horner is ready to pay ‘a few million’ for Colapinto, but Williams’ valuation is three or four times higher. Clearly, there’s still plenty of work to do in negotiations.

One journalist says Colapinto joining Red Bull would be ‘painful’. It would represent another failure of the team’s production line, with F2 title contender Isack Hadjar overlooked.