The Verstappen Red Bull replacement that will never happen, but definitely should

The Verstappen Red Bull replacement that will never happen, but definitely should examines why replacing Max Verstappen at Red Bull is effectively impossible, even as speculation persists. The piece argues that Red Bull cannot replace Verstappen directly because he is a four-time Formula 1 world champion and an unusually marketable driver who understands the team better than any other. It also points to the difficulty of transitioning even for top drivers, citing Lewis Hamilton’s time at Ferrari before fully aligning with Mercedes’ approach. The article discusses the most discussed alternative—Oscar Piastri—imagining him replacing Verstappen due to the “silly season” logic, but suggests it would likely be a downgrade in presence and leadership expectations. It also considers George Russell and Carlos Sainz, noting questions about whether Red Bull would accept a new No. 1 who struggles internally or arrives as a lesser fit for its system. Overall, the scenario is framed as one that can be debated in theory but would be hard to execute in practice.