Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane also addresses the rumors surrounding Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull. Although the Brit does not want to speculate about it, he does explain how he wants to prepare his own drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, to one day move up to Red Bull. The team principal also uses Verstappen as an example for his drivers: ‘I also call him the benchmark’.
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With the summer break approaching for Formula 1, the silly season threatens to erupt again in the paddock. No fewer than thirteen drivers only have contracts until the end of 2026, causing plenty of speculation about what the 2027 grid will look like. One of the teams where both drivers are not yet certain of a seat for next season is Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls.
Many former drivers – including Isack Hadjar – from the stable have moved up to Red Bull. Team principal Alan Permane was therefore asked in Spa whether he also sees this happening for his current drivers, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. “That is indeed the goal for our boys,” says Permane. “Our goal is to develop our drivers so that they are ready for Red Bull. The choice is ultimately up to Laurent (Mekies, ed.), but we have to prepare our drivers.”
Read more Also grid penalty for Isack Hadjar after engine change for Belgian Grand Prix
Verstappen
The British team principal was then asked about the rumors surrounding Max Verstappen and his future at Red Bull. “It will have no impact on my team (his final decision, ed.) because he does not drive for me,” said Permane. “That is actually a question for Laurent. And it will be up to Laurent to decide whether he then chooses Liam or Arvid. But I am not going to speculate about that.”
What Permane does say, however, is how he encourages his drivers to learn from Verstappen. “I always tell (the Racing Bulls drivers, ed.): ‘Listen to the way he communicates, listen to how calmly he does it.’ That is why I call him the benchmark. Not only in terms of race pace, but also what I see from him in and out of the car. I really use him as an example for the younger generation.”
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