P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull plans confirmed for Verstappen ban as Ricciardo verdict delivered
Red Bull has a plan in place in case Max Verstappen receives a one-race ban later in the season, with a backup from Daniel Ricciardo in the verdict.
Verstappen was penalized with 10 seconds at the Spanish Grand Prix for a seemingly intentional collision with George Russell’s Mercedes car, receiving three penalty points on his super license.
Verstappen now holds 11 penalty points in the last 12 months, and 12 within a year could result in a standard one-race suspension.
If he gains no more points by the expiration date of June 30, Verstappen must go two races without penalties to avoid a ban.
To offset potential disruptions in the constructors’ championship, Red Bull is prepared to substitute Verstappen with Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, or have Ayumu Iwasa fill the gap at the sister team Racing Bulls.
This strategy rules out any dreams of a one-off comeback for Daniel Ricciardo, who was removed from the Red Bull’s sister team in 2024 without a proper farewell and was not given a seat for the main team.
A possible return of Lawson to the Red Bull would streamline the transition, especially with his prior experience in the RB21, although he was dropped early in 2025, now performing well at Racing Bulls with rookie sensation Hadjar.
