Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull remains the subject of intense speculation, especially when a performance-based exit clause in his contract means he could exit the team in the coming months (long before his 2028 contract ends).
The Dutchman has been blunt about his unhappiness with the divisive new technical regulations, hinting at retirement if Formula 1 and the FIA don't fix the many issues with them heading into the 2027 season.
While moves to Mercedes, McLaren, or Ferrari have been mentioned, Verstappen's interest in endurance racing—and the fact that he's already won four Drivers' Championships—has reportedly led to Red Bull bosses preparing for the possibility of life without one of the most gifted drivers in F1 history.
According to a new report, "[Red Bull] team principal Laurent Mekies is reportedly under strong pressure from shareholders to [find an 'internal solution']." In other words, if Verstappen goes, they want the Frenchman to promote from within, and Liam Lawson is supposedly the frontrunner to step into Verstappen's seat if he leaves the team.
After a brief and difficult taste of Red Bull machinery last season, Lawson was sent back to sister team Racing Bulls. His response in the months that followed was solid, and he delivered consistent points-scoring performances.
Yuki Tsunoda's demotion to reserve driver status has removed one rival, while Arvid Lindblad, though highly rated, is still considered too young for an immediate promotion to the top seat. Lawson is the logical next choice, provided his form holds. Interestingly, Lawson currently sits just two points behind Verstappen in the drivers' standings following a dire start to the year for Red Bull.
If Lawson's performance diminishes or Lindblad forces his way into the conversation with standout results, the internal hierarchy could shift quickly, meaning nothing is certain at this stage. If Red Bull looks outward, names like Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri have been suggested on social media, though with the team currently stuck in the midfield, Verstappen's seat won't look overly desirable.
Like Verstappen, Isack Hadjar has talked openly about the issues with the RB22, though there's nothing to indicate that he has any intentions of leaving the team. He's a major talent, but if Red Bull loses Verstappen, it's going to be tough for them to regain the moment they had from 2021 to 2024 (and, to a lesser extent, the second half of 2025).
This is just a rumour for now, but make sure to stay tuned for further updates as we have them.