The Red Bull dilemma: Who will fill those seats?

Max Verstappen

When we talk about Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri, at the moment only one man is sure of his place and that is Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has already signed a contract with Red Bull that commits him to the team until 2023 and despite several possibilities, we can be almost certain that Verstappen will be driving for Red Bull Racing in 2021.

Alexander Albon

The second seat is a lot harder to fill in. Alexander Albon hasn't done much wrong in a year and a half, but he hasn't done much right either. The gap to Verstappen is mainly too big. The Thai is on average more than six tenths short, which is disappointing for him.

So there is still a chance that Albon will be replaced at Red Bull. Pierre Gasly is performing well, and there is the option of Nico Hulkenberg or Sergio Perez. Red Bull often looks to stay within its own talent pool, but they could be forced outside it for 2021.

Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly seems almost certain of his place within the Red Bull family. Gasly has shown after his relegation from Red Bull Racing that he can still compete and is now the clear leader within AlphaTauri. This raises the question of whether he can return to Red Bull, but this is denied for the time being by all parties involved.

Nevertheless, it does not seem to be going entirely smoothly within AlphaTauri, as Paul di Resta was able to report this weekend that Gasly has caused dissatisfaction within AlphaTauri and the Swiss Blick reported a possible conversation between Renault and Gasly. Is the Frenchman going to leave after all, or are these all just empty rumours?

Daniil Kvyat

Daniil Kvyat's Formula 1 career seems to be coming to an end. There are several variants of AlphaTauri's lineup, but few where the Russian retains his place. Yuki Tsunoda is banging on the door as a Honda talent, but how certain is his arrival after the announced departure of Honda.

However, his arrival is not the only threat. The return of Albon could also make Kvyat leave Alpha Tauri and only a combination of a departure of Gasly or Albon, who are expected to stay with Red Bull, can make Kvyat team up with Tsunoda. Kvyat's career at Red Bull looks in doubt, at least.

Yuki Tsunoda

The talent that has been mentioned for a whole year as Kvyat's successor is Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese has been slowly guided to the top by Honda in order to eventually win Formula 1 races. In Formula 2 he has already succeeded and the Japanese is close to a super license with his third place in the championship.

This seems to pave the way to Formula 1 and despite the announced departure of Honda, Tsunoda still seems to be a big contender for the seat at AlphaTauri. It may still be the case that he misses his super license or that Red Bull takes a different path, but he is doing all he can to impress.

Nico Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg ended his career with Renault in a rather sad style. The driver, who for years was considered undervalued, was defeated in one year by his new teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Hulkenberg did not get a new seat and where Fernando Alonso can return to the sport with two world titles and an additional marketing advantage, this is a lot more difficult for Nico.

However, now that Red Bull is in a situation where, in addition to Verstappen, it needs a constant and experienced driver to gain points like Valtteri Bottas does for Mercedes, Hulkenberg is back in the picture. His double return to Racing Point, where he was able to impress at Silverstone and also at the Nürburgring without much preparation.

In recent years Red Bull has opted a lot for its own talent, but the problems that have persisted at Red Bull since Ricciardo's departure may give the situation a different perspective. Whether Hulkenberg is fast enough to keep up with Verstappen remains to be seen, but his experience is of good use to the team.

Sergio Perez

Someone who has also recently been released is Sergio Perez. The Mexican was settled at Racing Point, but his contract was torn up for the arrival of Sebastian Vettel. Perez is fiercely linked to Haas, but wouldn't turn down an opportunity at Red Bull, of course. He can play the same role as Hulkenberg and is perhaps even better as a driver?

In terms of performance Perez has done better than Hulkenberg in the past, but the German might be better suited for the role as second driver. Perez certainly has the pace to fill that role, but Hulkenberg may be the more reliable, if less spectacular choice.

Forecast of GPblog

Red Bull Racing:

Max Verstappen

Nico Hulkenberg

AlphaTauri:

Pierre Gasly

Alexander Albon

Yuki Tsunoda: One more year F2 to become champion

Daniil Kvyat: Test driver at Ferrari

Sergio Perez: Driver for Haas