BREAKING: Shocking Christian Horner's Twist Emerges as Red Bull

Nico Hulkenberg Tipped for Surprise Red Bull Seat Amid Christian Horner’s Influence

Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg has emerged as a potential surprise signing for Red Bull, according to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. The speculation comes amid ongoing turmoil within the team’s driver lineup, which has already seen significant changes after just two races in the 2025 season.

Red Bull’s handling of its driver situation has drawn criticism, particularly following the controversial decision to demote Liam Lawson and replace him with Yuki Tsunoda. Despite showing promise in his limited F1 experience, Lawson struggled to consistently finish in the top ten, which ultimately led to his removal. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen remains a strong contender in the championship, sitting second in the standings after solid performances in Australia and China.

Could Hulkenberg Replace Perez?

Schumacher believes Red Bull’s mistake was failing to sign an experienced driver to replace Sergio Perez for 2025. He argues that Hulkenberg, a seasoned competitor with extensive F1 experience, would have been the ideal candidate to support Verstappen.

Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Schumacher criticized Red Bull’s driver selection strategy, highlighting that the team should have prioritized experience over youth when making their decision. He revealed that team principal Christian Horner played a key role in the decision not to pursue Hulkenberg, a choice that Schumacher believes was a critical misstep.

“I might have even chosen an outside driver if it had been possible,” Schumacher said. “The mistake from the start was not putting Nico Hulkenberg in the car.”

The six-time Grand Prix winner emphasized that Red Bull needed a clear and experienced number two driver alongside Verstappen. He praised Hulkenberg’s consistency in both qualifying and race conditions, arguing that his presence would have brought stability to the team.

“They needed a solid, experienced teammate for Max Verstappen, and I think Hulkenberg would have been a great fit,” Schumacher continued. “He’s strong in qualifying and performs well in race conditions, making him a reliable choice.”

Horner’s Preference and Marko’s Influence

According to Schumacher, Horner’s influence played a significant role in Red Bull’s decision-making process. He suggested that the Red Bull boss was more interested in promoting young talent rather than opting for an experienced driver like Hulkenberg. Schumacher also mentioned that Horner had shown interest in Franco Colapinto, but the young driver’s recent crashes diminished his chances of securing a seat with the team.

“Christian Horner really wanted Franco Colapinto, but he hurt his chances with his three crashes in the last few races,” Schumacher explained.

Additionally, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko reportedly preferred to keep the team’s junior development program in focus, opting to promote a younger driver rather than bringing in an outsider like Hulkenberg. Schumacher, however, believes that no junior driver is currently suited to partner Verstappen at Red Bull.

“Dr. Marko said at the time that they would take a junior driver,” Schumacher noted. “But personally, I don’t see any young driver ready to step up alongside Max at the moment.”

As the season progresses, Red Bull’s driver lineup remains a hot topic, with speculation continuing over Perez’s future and whether the team will consider an experienced alternative such as Hulkenberg. For now, the German driver remains with Sauber, but with Red Bull’s unpredictable approach to driver management, his name could resurface as a potential option before the season’s end.