Red Bull plans confirmed for Max Verstappen ban as Daniel Ricci

Red Bull plans confirmed for Max Verstappen ban as Daniel Ricciardo re…read more

Red Bull Racing has put contingency plans in place in the event Max Verstappen faces a one-race suspension later in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Verstappen recently received a 10-second penalty and three penalty points on his super licence after an incident at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he appeared to deliberately collide with George Russell’s Mercedes. This pushed his total penalty points to 11 within a 12-month period—just one short of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic race ban.

Verstappen’s earliest penalty points won’t expire until June 30, meaning he must avoid any further penalties during the upcoming Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix. A ban at this stage of the season would be a massive blow, especially since Verstappen currently trails McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 49 points in the drivers’ championship. Missing even a single race could severely damage his chances of reclaiming the title.

To prepare for this scenario, Red Bull has lined up a driver rotation plan that maintains stability and performance across both the main team and their sister outfit, Racing Bulls. If Verstappen is suspended, either Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar will be promoted to the Red Bull Racing seat. Both drivers currently race for Racing Bulls, and Red Bull views either as capable replacements for a one-off opportunity in the main squad. In turn, Ayumu Iwasa would step into the vacant Racing Bulls seat to ensure continuity across the garage.

Liam Lawson appears to be the frontrunner for the temporary Red Bull seat. The New Zealander already has experience racing in F1, having filled in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2024, and he is familiar with Red Bull machinery and operations. However, his 2025 form has been inconsistent, which led to his early-season demotion back to Racing Bulls. In contrast, Isack Hadjar has impressed in his rookie year, scoring 21 points—more than Lawson and teammate Yuki Tsunoda combined—despite having never raced for the senior Red Bull team.

Despite fan speculation, Daniel Ricciardo will not be called up for a one-off return. Ricciardo was released from Racing Bulls midway through the 2024 season after a run of poor performances, and Red Bull has no plans to reinstate him for sentimental reasons. The team’s focus is firmly on its development pipeline, and they are prioritizing drivers who are in competitive form and actively involved in the 2025 campaign.

Another Red Bull junior, Ayumu Iwasa, is in line for his potential F1 debut if a vacancy arises at Racing Bulls. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, who has been delivering standout performances in Formula 2 this year, is not expected to be fast-tracked into F1 just yet. Red Bull appears committed to a measured approach, ensuring their young talents are introduced at the right time.

Ultimately, while Verstappen’s immediate future hinges on his behavior in the next two races, Red Bull has ensured they’re well-prepared, with a plan that balances championship goals and driver d

evelopment.