Red Bull drivers in 2027: Ralf Schumacher believes in an unusual solution

Max Verstappen signed a new contract ahead of his home race at Zandvoort in mid-August 2026: he will remain a Red Bull Racing driver until the end of 2030.

At the end of September, RBR confirmed that the young Frenchman Isack Hadjar would also be driving alongside Verstappen in 2027. So far, so good. But what will happen to the smaller Red Bull team, the Racing Bulls?

Ralf Schumacher, who has competed in 180 Grand Prix races, senses a change is afoot. The Formula 1 expert from our colleagues at German Sky says of the situation in the junior team: “Lindblad is reliable; in my view, he can already take on the role of the more experienced driver in the team next season.”

“Lindblad is generally already a bit stronger than Liam Lawson, even though the New Zealander has scored more points. What sets Lindblad apart, in my view, is that he goes out on a track and is immediately on form. It’s easy to forget – he’s in his first year. It’s therefore likely that he’ll continue to improve. I’m reminded of Kimi Antonelli – just how strongly he’s driving now in his second Formula 1 season.”

Six-time Grand Prix winner Schumacher continued: “Lawson’s been around for a while now; he’s settled into his rhythm and is regularly in contention for points. But I no longer believe he has what it takes to develop into a top driver.”

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“The whole point of Racing Bulls as a junior team is, of course, to nurture young talent and, ideally, turn them into winners and world champions at Red Bull Racing. Lawson’s been there for quite a long time now; he was even brought back into the RBR line-up for a while when Hadjar was injured, and he certainly deserved that. But if they’re now effectively looking to find the next Verstappen, then they need to try something different in terms of personnel.”

“Lawson’s stints at Red Bull Racing have shown that he certainly does a good job, but he simply cannot provide that very special something that Red Bull is looking for when developing young drivers. That’s why he’s no longer a regular driver at Red Bull Racing – Isack Hadjar is.”

For Ralf Schumacher (fourth in the World Championship in 2001 and 2002), it’s clear who should now be given a chance – the 19-year-old Bulgarian Nikola Tsolov. Schumacher explains: “If Red Bull wants to find someone to succeed Max Verstappen in the long term, then Tsolov is a driver who offers cause for hope. I think he should be given a chance.”