Red Bull watches Oliver Bearman as Verstappen successor

Red Bull Racing is reportedly monitoring Haas driver Oliver Bearman as a potential long-term option, according to Sky Sports Formula 1 commentator David Croft. This interest emerges amid persistent and escalating speculation that four-time world champion Max Verstappen could be preparing to leave the team he has driven for since 2016.

The driver market has been dominated by rumors of Verstappen's future, with recent reports suggesting he has held talks with McLaren. If Verstappen were to activate an exit clause and move to the Woking-based team, it would create a vacancy at Red Bull, one of the most coveted seats in Formula 1. While initial speculation often centered on McLaren's Oscar Piastri as part of a potential swap, those rumors have been firmly dismissed by Piastri's management. His manager, Mark Webber, stated that Piastri is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future and that talk of him agitating to leave is nonsense, a position sources close to the driver have confirmed.

This has shifted attention to other candidates, with Bearman now appearing on Red Bull's radar. Croft highlighted the connection through Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies, who originally...