Red Bull plan if Max Verstappen gets F1 ban as truth of Daniel Ricciardo theory emerges

Max Verstappen is one penalty point away from a Formula 1 race ban and Red Bull will have to have a plan in place in the event the Dutchman has another run-in with the stewards

Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo smile during a conversation

Daniel Ricciardo won’t be filling in for former team-mate Max Verstappen if the Dutchman gets a ban

Red Bull have a plan in place in the event they need to find a one-off replacement for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is one penalty point away from a Formula 1 race ban after colliding with George Russell in Barcelona last Sunday and must now be on his best behaviour.

Two of the 11 penalty points on his licence will expire at the end of this month. But, until then, he will be walking a tightrope at the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix – a single penalty point gained at either of those races would trigger an automatic one-race ban under FIA rules.

But in the event that does happen, Red Bull will not be turning to former drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo or Sergio Perez. Despite hopeful reports in the Australian media suggesting Ricciardo could be on for a one-off F1 return to help out his former employer, Mirror Sport can confirm that will not happen.

It is understood that Red Bull believe it is unlikely that they will have to choose a temporary replacement for Verstappen. But, if they must, then it will be a current Red Bull driver who gets the nod to step up.

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