Red Bull 'keeping very close tabs' on rising F1 star as Max Verstappen uncertainty grows

Red Bull are at the centre of a speculation storm around the future of four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen - and could be planning for life after his departure.

The 28-year-old is contracted to Red Bull until 2028 but a break clause in his deal allows him to join another team next season if he enters the imminent summer break outside the top two in the F1 drivers' championship standings.

That outcome was confirmed when Verstappen logged a DNF at Silverstone on Sunday, accelerating the prospect of a premature exit from his team.

Verstappen is in seventh place and his frustration with the team is becoming more visible and audible with every misstep.

A swap deal with McLaren has been mooted, with Oscar Piastri rumoured to be in the frame to head in the other direction.

There are other paths now emerging for Red Bull to take if their relationship with Verstappen does come to an end.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1's live coverage at Silverstone, commentator David Croft offered an insight into one of those options: Haas' 21-year-old British driver Ollie Bearman, who has collected 18 points in his second season proper in a Formula 1 seat and who has also had a single outing with Ferrari in 2024.

"Over your shoulder is the Red Bull hospitality unit. Laurent Mekies, the team principal, was the man that signed Ollie Bearman to the Ferrari Academy,” said Croft.

"I know Red Bull are keeping very close tabs on Ollie Bearman. If he hasn’t got a way into the Scuderia, that might be a very good option for Red Bull and for Ollie."

Former driver and fellow Brit Martin Brundle spoke positively about Bearman and his prospects but warned that Ferrari's increased stability in recent months will have a limiting effect on his options.

"Ollie will be seeing that Charles Leclerc has re-signed at Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton looks like he’s going to hang around for quite a few years now,” Brundle told Croft.

"His route to the works Ferrari team has been cut off.

"At the same time, Haas, they’re the smallest team, and they’ve been struggling to develop that car and keep pace.

"He’s just got to keep doing what he does, somehow, Ollie, and he’s driving beautifully. It has put Esteban [Ocon] under a little bit of pressure for the future, and we’ll see where that team goes to.

"But he’s a little bit locked in at the moment. He might have to find a Plan B, Ollie Bearman."

The young driver's best performance in 2026 saw him finish fifth in the Chinese Grand Prix in March. He's been in the top 10 only once since then, crossing the line in 10th at the Canadian GP.

His handful of points have earned him 12th place in the drivers' standings, while teammate Ocon is five places behind.

Haas are ranked fifth from bottom in the Constructors' Championship standings after ending 2025 with only Sauber and Alpine picking up fewer points.