If Max Verstappen were to leave Red Bull at the end of the season, several names would be circulating to succeed him. For Jolyon Palmer, an unexpected candidate would naturally stand out: George Russell.
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The future of Max Verstappen continues to fuel speculation in the paddock. The four-time world champion would have a performance clause allowing him to leave Red Bull at the end of the season, despite a contract running until 2028.
In this context, former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes that the choice of replacement would depend primarily on the Dutchman’s destination.
If Verstappen were to join Mercedes, Palmer considers that George Russell would immediately become a prime target for Red Bull.
“Red Bull absolutely must recruit a big name. There is no doubt about that.”
According to him, a real game of musical chairs could then take place.
Everything will depend on Verstappen’s destination
Palmer believes that the driver called to replace Verstappen would be directly linked to the seat the Dutchman would take elsewhere.
“The replacement will essentially depend on the team Max joins.”
Among the profiles mentioned are also the two McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
The former Renault driver recalls, however, that McLaren has perfectly managed to maintain balance between its two drivers since its return to the top.
“McLaren won the championship with Lando. The team managed its two drivers very well last season. It would have been very easy for one of the two to feel wronged, but today they both remain motivated and work very well together.”
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According to Palmer, a deterioration of this relationship would have made a Verstappen transfer to McLaren much more obvious.
Piastri still said to be loyal to McLaren
In recent days, some rumors have also sent Oscar Piastri to Red Bull in case of Verstappen’s departure.
A hypothesis quickly dismissed by his manager Mark Webber, who called these speculations totally unfounded, reminding that the Australian wished to continue his adventure with McLaren in the long term.
Despite this, Palmer continues to think that the two McLaren drivers would be ideal profiles for Red Bull.
“They would both be excellent candidates if that were to happen.”
“An obvious choice” for Russell
But it is George Russell who particularly catches Palmer’s attention.
In the scenario where Verstappen signs with Mercedes, Russell could be the driver sacrificed, Kimi Antonelli being considered the future of the German team.
For Palmer, a Russell arrival at Red Bull would then naturally impose itself.
“The other name is George. If Max went to Mercedes, seeing George join Red Bull would be a total no-brainer. It would be a great opportunity for him.”
Even if Mercedes and McLaren officially continue to rule out any arrival of Verstappen, rumors persist in the paddock. And if such a transfer were really to materialize, George Russell could well become one of the main beneficiaries of this domino effect.
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