Jolyon Palmer has put forward a rather bold idea concerning Max Verstappen’s potential successor at Red Bull if the four-time world champion were to leave the team, or even Formula 1.
According to the former British driver turned consultant, even if Red Bull has young drivers in its program like Isack Hadjar or Arvid Lindblad, the team should probably look for an external driver to replace a profile as exceptional as Verstappen’s.
His choice falls on Charles Leclerc, to general surprise, as one might question this rather fanciful hypothesis.
Max’s Weariness
This suggestion comes in a context where Verstappen has been increasingly critical of the future 2026 regulations, which he deems too artificial and far removed from the spirit of racing. He has notably expressed doubts about the pleasure he could still derive from the discipline, going so far as to question the value of all the travel and commitment required in F1.
From this perspective, Palmer believes that Leclerc could be a credible target for Red Bull. He emphasizes that the Monegasque driver is recognized for his pure talent and speed, but that he has been stuck at Ferrari for several years without yet being able to regularly fight for the title.
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According to him, if Ferrari fails to become competitive enough to aim for the championship in the near future, Leclerc could be tempted by an opportunity offering him immediately a car capable of aiming for the title, provided that the brains at Milton Keynes regain all their capabilities.
Loyalty in Red Poorly Rewarded
Palmer nevertheless recalls that Leclerc has always affirmed his deep attachment to Ferrari and his desire to win with the Scuderia. But he wonders if this loyalty could indefinitely resist a stagnant sporting situation, especially if a long-dominant team like Red Bull were to offer a seat in a transitional context after Verstappen.
This is obviously a highly speculative hypothesis: a scenario where Red Bull, faced with Verstappen’s departure, would seek out a top-tier driver from Ferrari to maintain its level of domination. An idea theoretically credible from a sporting perspective, as RBR team principal Laurent Mekies maintains very friendly relations with Leclerc (photo above) after having worked alongside him as sporting director at Ferrari, but which today remains very far from the real dynamics of the paddock.
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