Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson, Formula 1
Marcus Chan
Topics: Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson, Formula 1
Red Bull have reportedly decided on Max Verstappen's replacement as the Formula 1 world champion edges ever closer to a ban.
Verstappen, 27, is just one penalty point away from an automatic race ban after his angry collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Towards the closing stages at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Verstappen and Russell collided after the Dutchman was told to let the Mercedes star through.
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As a result, Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty, which dropped him from P5 to P10.
In addition, the Red Bull superstar was also given three penalty points on his superlicense.
Verstappen now has 11 points on his license, one away from reaching 12, which signals a one-race suspension.
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Two of the 11 penalty points on Verstappen's license will expire at the end of the month.
However, Verstappen will still have to be on red alert for this month's Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix as one more point would lead to a ban.
In preparation for Verstappen potentially being suspended, Red Bull have reportedly laid out a plan.
As reported by the Daily Mirror, the Milton Keynes-based team will not call on former drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez as a replacement for Verstappen.
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They will instead look at drivers who are currently on team's roster.
The report stated: "Red Bull will not be turning to former drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo or Sergio Perez. Despite hopeful reports in the Australian media suggesting Ricciardo could be on for a one-off F1 return to help out his former employer.
"It is understood that Red Bull believe it is unlikely that they will have to choose a temporary replacement for Verstappen. But, if they must, then it will be a current Red Bull driver who gets the nod to step up."
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It has been claimed that either Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar would receive the call-up if required.
Aside from Lawson and Hadjar, highly rated youngster Arvid Lindblad could get the nod.
However, in order for Lindblad to race in F1, the 17-year-old would need special dispensation from the sport's governing body, the FIA, to receive his superlicense early.