BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson has suggested that Carlos Sainz is exactly the type of driver Red Bull would be interested in if they find themselves needing to replace Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s contract runs until 2028, but there are signs he might not see it out, possibly retiring after the 2026 season.
Verstappen has also spoken in the past about following Lambiase if he left the team, which adds another layer to the speculation about his future.
The Mirror’s Daniel Moxon says Laurent Mekies would love to sign the Monegasque, having worked with him when he was racing director at Maranello.
Red Bull could be eyeing Carlos Sainz amid Verstappen uncertainty
Speaking on the Chequered Flag podcast, Benson explained that Red Bull wouldn’t look to fill Verstappen’s seat with a prospect from their academy.
Racing Bulls have both Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson on hand, but Lindblad is only 18 years old, while Lawson lasted just two races after getting his Red Bull chance in 2025.
In an ideal world, Red Bull would bring in a big name like Leclerc or George Russell. But Benson pointed out that it won’t be easy to lure top talent with the team struggling for form. The team has found themselves stuck in the midfield since the new regulations came in.
Sainz spent time at Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls), and he would bring plenty of experience to the table. Plus, there’s a chance he could be open to moving if things aren’t improving at Williams.
Benson said: “You’re not going to pick someone out of Formula 2 to take his seat. You’re looking at the existing talent pool in Formula 1.
“The usual suspects, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, it’s not going to be as appealing for them. They’re in a bit of a spot, frankly if Verstappen does retire at the end of the year.”
“That’s the kind of driver they’d be looking at. Sainz went to Williams it looked like a great decision last year, it doesn’t look like a great decision this year. He might be looking for a change.”
Max Verstappen uncertain over racing future beyond this season
The discussion around Verstappen’s future isn’t new. He’s been open about his frustrations with certain aspects of F1’s direction and hasn’t ruled out walking away before his contract ends in 2028.
Benson believes Verstappen genuinely hasn’t made up his mind yet: “In the end, I don’t know, and neither does he at the moment, as I understand it. I’d be surprised if he did retire.”
If he does decide to stay in F1 but leave Red Bull, it wouldn’t necessarily be tied to team issues. Verstappen has often spoken more about broader concerns around regulations than anything specific within the organisation.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
