Racing Bulls Highlight 'Many Unknowns' If Verstappen Leaves Red Bull

Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane insists Max Verstappen's potential Red Bull exit would not directly affect his Faenza squad, warning the driver market holds too many unknowns. With Verstappen's future dominating headlines amid reports of a performance-related contract clause, Permane says any fallout is senior leadership's domain.

Why it matters:

A Verstappen departure would ripple across the grid and could trigger a reshuffle involving McLaren and Oscar Piastri. As Red Bull's primary talent pipeline, Racing Bulls would feel downstream effects from any senior-team vacancy, even if Permane claims his immediate lineup is unaffected.

The details:

• Permane told media Verstappen's situation "will have no impact" on Racing Bulls because "he doesn't drive for me," placing responsibility with Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies.
• He pledged support should Mekies promote current drivers Liam Lawson or Arvid Lindblad to the senior squad.
• A promotion would free a seat at Racing Bulls, with Formula 2's Nikola Tsolov flagged as "next in line."
• Rumors link Verstappen to McLaren — possibly swapping with Piastri — though McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen deny active talks.
• Verstappen sits seventh after 10 rounds, keeping a performance-related escape clause — set against a contract through 2028 — in play.

Between the lines:

Permane's stance underscores the tightrope of managing a junior team tied to blockbuster senior-outfit decisions. While he deflects speculation, Racing Bulls exists to feed Red Bull, meaning a Verstappen exit would automatically thrust Lawson, Lindblad, and Tsolov into the spotlight.