The question of what Red Bull does if Max Verstappen leaves has been hovering over the paddock for months. Now, former Formula 1 driver and current analyst Jolyon Palmer has offered a clear answer: sign Charles Leclerc. With Verstappen publicly voicing concerns about the incoming 2026 regulations, the possibility of the four-time world champion seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere is no longer purely hypothetical, and Red Bull’s succession planning has become one of the most compelling storylines in the sport.
Verstappen’s 2026 Doubts Open the Door
Max Verstappen has never been one to mask his frustrations, and his reaction to the 2026 technical regulations has been characteristically blunt. The Dutchman described the incoming ruleset as Formula E on steroids, a pointed criticism that signals deep unease about the direction the sport is heading. The 2026 regulations introduce sweeping changes to both power unit architecture and aerodynamic philosophy, and Verstappen has admitted genuine uncertainty about whether the new formula aligns with the kind of racing he wants to be part of.
That uncertainty carries weight. Verstappen has delivered four consecutive World Drivers’ Championships for Red Bull, cementing a dynasty that has redefined the modern era of Formula 1. Losing him would not simply be a blow to Red Bull’s competitiveness. It would mark the end of one of the most dominant driver-team partnerships the sport has ever seen. The question that follows is obvious: who could possibly step into that role?
Palmer Makes the Case for Leclerc
Speaking in his capacity as an F1 analyst, Jolyon Palmer identified Charles Leclerc as the standout candidate Red Bull should pursue if Verstappen were to depart. Palmer pointed to Leclerc’s raw speed and consistency as the primary reasons for his recommendation, arguing that the Monegasque driver possesses the qualities necessary to lead a team of Red Bull’s calibre.
It is hard to argue with the logic. Leclerc has been a fixture at the front of the grid since joining Ferrari in 2019 and has long been considered one of the most gifted drivers of his generation. His qualifying pace in particular has drawn widespread admiration, and his ability to extract performance from machinery that has not always been championship-worthy speaks to a depth of talent that goes beyond raw lap time. Palmer’s endorsement reflects a broader consensus within the paddock: if Verstappen goes, Leclerc is the name at the top of most shortlists.
Leclerc is currently under contract at Ferrari, and his long-standing relationship with the Scuderia adds a layer of complexity to any potential move. Ferrari has invested heavily in building their team around him, and a departure would represent a significant shift in the Italian constructor’s plans. Nevertheless, Leclerc’s name has surfaced in speculation linking him to other top teams, and the 2026 regulation reset creates a natural inflection point at which driver markets tend to move dramatically.
Why This Matters Beyond the Rumour Mill
Speculation about driver transfers is a permanent feature of Formula 1 media cycles, but this particular scenario carries genuine structural significance. Red Bull built their recent dominance around Verstappen’s specific driving style and his deeply embedded relationship with the engineering group led by Adrian Newey before his departure. Replacing a driver of Verstappen’s output is not simply a case of slotting in the next available talent.
The 2026 regulations represent the most significant technical reset in recent memory, and they arrive at a moment when the competitive order is already in flux. Teams that adapt quickly to the new rules will define the next era of the sport. For Red Bull, navigating that transition without their talisman would demand both a world-class replacement and near-perfect technical execution. Palmer’s suggestion that Leclerc represents the best available option underlines how limited the realistic candidate pool actually is when the bar is set that high.
Lando Norris, George Russell and Carlos Sainz have all been mentioned in various transfer conversations, but Palmer’s focus on Leclerc reflects the view that the Ferrari driver’s combination of pace, experience and profile makes him uniquely suited to the demands of leading Red Bull’s programme at such a pivotal moment in the sport’s history.
A Decision That Could Shape the Next Era
Neither Verstappen’s departure nor Leclerc’s availability is confirmed. Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull and has given no definitive indication that he will walk away. Ferrari have similarly shown no signs of releasing Leclerc from his obligations. But in Formula 1, situations evolve quickly, and the conversation Palmer has helped to frame reflects the kind of contingency thinking that serious teams and observers are already engaging in.
What makes this story compelling is the scale of what it represents. Verstappen moving on from Red Bull would close a chapter that began with his extraordinary debut at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix and has since produced four drivers’ titles and a period of dominance that will be studied for decades. Leclerc taking his place at the team that built that legacy would be one of the most seismic driver moves in modern Formula 1.
For now, the 2026 season remains the focal point. How Verstappen responds to the new regulations once they arrive in competitive conditions may ultimately determine whether this conversation stays hypothetical or becomes very real. If the cars feel anything like his early criticism suggested, and if Red Bull’s performance trajectory shifts under the new rules, the driver market could move faster than anyone expects. Palmer has identified Leclerc as the logical answer to a question Red Bull hopes it never has to ask. Whether that question gets asked at all may be the defining subplot of the next chapter of Formula 1.