Brundle urges Red Bull to consider Sainz, Gasly if Verstappen leaves

Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle has suggested Red Bull should reconsider former drivers like Carlos Sainz or Pierre Gasly if Max Verstappen makes good on his threats to leave Formula 1, while criticizing the team's past culture for "burning" talented drivers paired with the Dutch champion.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's repeated public musings about leaving F1 after 2026, fueled by his disdain for the upcoming regulations, present a massive long-term risk for Red Bull. Finding a successor capable of leading the team is a monumental challenge, and Brundle's comments highlight a potential pool of experienced talent the team may have prematurely discounted due to its historically harsh environment for a number two driver.

The details:

• Brundle, a former F1 driver, labeled Verstappen's exit threats as "boring" but pragmatically discussed replacements, pointing to a cultural issue at Red Bull.
• He argued that drivers like Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and even Carlos Sainz (during his Toro Rosso tenure) were "burned by the culture" and by Verstappen's sheer dominance, making it impossible for them to thrive.
• A Damaging Environment: Brundle contrasted Red Bull's approach with Mercedes' supportive handling of rookie Kimi Antonelli last season, stating, "You're getting out of the car, picking the phone up to Dr. Helmut Marko, or Christian, or anybody else, it couldn't have been very good."
• A New Chance for Hadjar: The pundit believes current junior Isack Hadjar is in a better position, benefiting from a potentially more forgiving atmosphere at the rebranded Visa Cash App RB team to learn and make mistakes.
• The Case for a Return: Brundle explicitly urged Red Bull not to rule out former drivers, stating, "I can see if Red Bull do need a driver, they would have to consider somebody like a Sainz or a Gasly... If they cut them all out of the equation because they've already been there once, I think that would be missing a trick."

The big picture:

The discussion underscores the dual legacy of the Verstappen era at Red Bull: unprecedented success paired with a notoriously difficult seat beside him. While the immediate focus is on 2025's driver market, Verstappen's long-term commitment is now a genuine topic of speculation. Brundle's analysis suggests Red Bull's future leadership may depend not just on identifying raw speed, but on mending a reputation that has alienated several capable drivers who could now be ideal candidates to ensure continuity post-Verstappen.