Red Bull boss Christian Horner has said that the team has “enough drivers” in its roster to replace Max Verstappen should the Dutchman receive a Formula 1 race ban.
The reigning F1 champion has 11 penalty points on his superlicence after earning three more for his controversial collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen, therefore, is one penalty point away from a one-race suspension, the threat of which will only lessen after the Austrian Grand Prix, when some points will be scrubbed off.
Just this week, Red Bull protégé and Formula 2 title contender Arvid Lindblad was granted his superlicence, despite being only 17, a year younger than the rules state.
This, of course, enables the British youngster to participate in F1 race weekends.
Ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, Horner hinted that whilst Verstappen avoiding a race ban is a top priority, there are plenty of people equipped to fill the void should his absence be enforced upon the team.
“Arvid Lindblad is at the very beginning of his journey in Formula 1, having been granted that license,” he told Sky F1.
“First of all, [Max receiving a ban is] a situation that we want to desperately try and avoid. And should it come, we’ve got enough drivers to draw upon from the pool of Red Bull drivers.
Speculation this week has led to Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar being discussed as a possible replacement for the struggling Yuki Tsunoda, which could leave him primed for a one-off in the RB21 should Verstappen be banned.
But Horner refused to be drawn any further, saying: “We would deal with it if it happened.”
Who could benefit from possible Verstappen penalty?
The next driver in line affiliated with Red Bull before Lindblad is Japanese Super Formula driver Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls’ reserve driver.
23-year-old Iwasa was Formula 2’s Rookie of the Year in 2022, and has participated in two free practice sessions at an F1 race weekend
Iwasa first drove for the Faenza-based squad at Suzuka last year, followed by an appearance with Red Bull this year in Bahrain.
In the event of a Verstappen ban, Iwasa would likely race for Racing Bulls, with the main team promoting either Hadjar or Liam Lawson back to the team from which he was swapped with Tsunoda after just two rounds this year.
Hadjar’s performances have naturally led to talk of him being the next man to move up to race alongside Verstappen, but the Frenchman said he did not “feel ready” for the promotion just yet.
For Horner, the prospect of seeing Verstappen’s penalty points disappearing must surely be one he looks forward to to ensure such an eventuality does not become a reality.
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