​Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s future remains unclear, and his departure from the team would trigger an unprecedented domino effect in the driver market.Verstappen has reportedly been talking to McLaren, though there is no imminent move seemingly coming.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOther than McLaren, no other team has been meaningfully linked to Verstappen, mainly because many driver lineups seem set.While Verstappen is widely considered the fastest driver in F1, the baggage and politics involved in him joining a team are major, and in the middle of a season, it may be tough for a team to take on that kind of risk.ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 07: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Gianpiero Lambiase, Head of Racing of Oracle Red Bull Racing on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 07, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202512070136 // Usage for editorial use only //What is clear is that Verstappen is not happy driving in a Red Bull car that cannot fight for wins or a title; an exit is a real possibility.If Verstappen were to leave Red Bull, the knock-on effect would be that a premium seat would be available, leaving multiple suitors.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFirst of all, to be clear, there is no replacing Verstappen; he is someone who pushes the whole team and demands the best from everyone.However, given Red Bull’s keenness to develop young talent, there are a few options with high upside. One of those rising stars is Oliver Bearman, who has shone with a small team in Haas and looks poised for a big seat.BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 12: Oliver Bearman of Great Britain and Haas F1 on stage prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Barcelona-Catalunya at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 12, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images)In fact, Sky Deutschland’s Ralf Schumacher believes he would be the top choice.“If it were possible to get him, my first choice would be Oliver Bearman, if they think they can’t rely on Hadjar,” he told Sky Deutschland.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Then there’s Carlos Sainz Jr., who is a good driver. The only problem is that he hasn’t yet proven he can compete for the world championship, but Sainz has done a good job.”Bearman is a Ferrari driver, making a move for him quite tricky unless Verstappen were to join the Italian team or Red Bull paid a big fee.If he were the man that Red Bull wanted, a move for him would be feasible, especially if Ferrari is clogged up with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.