Max Verstappen has endured a difficult period with Red Bull‘s lineup of teammates over the past year, prompting calls for a higher-caliber partner to support the team’s goals. The focus on securing a Max Verstappen new teammate Red Bull has highlighted the need for someone capable of matching Verstappen’s exceptional performance.

Historically, Red Bull has boasted strong pairings, including Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber as well as Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. However, in recent seasons, the team has struggled to find a second driver who can consistently challenge at the same level, with a rapid turnover of drivers failing to provide stability.

Two-Time Champion Fernando Alonso Suggested as Ideal Addition

In the last year, drivers such as Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda have not reached Verstappen’s standards, leading former 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve to suggest that Red Bull needs another champion-caliber driver. Villeneuve believes Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion who recently regained form with Aston Martin—earning 26 points in the last six races—would be a strong contender for the role.

“It would be good to see a Leclerc next to Max to see how good he really is. Or it’d be good to put Alonso now next to Max, because that’s a known quantity,”

Villeneuve said to Vision4Sport.

“It’d be good to put Norris next to Max, so we would really see if Norris is exceptional or is he just very good?”

Should Red Bull Consider Expanding Beyond Their Driver Academy?

Traditionally, Red Bull has promoted drivers from its own junior program, including Verstappen, Lawson, Tsunoda, and Isack Hadjar. Despite this, the team has seen limited success from these drivers beyond Verstappen, as no other Red Bull driver has reached the podium since Sergio Perez’s finish at the Chinese Grand Prix in April 2024.

Villeneuve emphasized that Red Bull must face the reality that Tsunoda’s results fall short of expectations. He noted that Tsunoda’s frustrations have negatively impacted his driving, and that despite years of experience, Tsunoda has not demonstrated the necessary pace for a top team.

“That would help to quantify things,”

Villeneuve continued.

“We know that Max is exceptional but then the drivers next to him have just not been good enough and there’s no point saying: ‘Oh poor them.’ No, they’re just not good enough. That’s it. They’re barely good.”

“And that’s what has happened with Tsunoda. He’s had four or five years of experience already. He’s had his best and clearly, it’s not good enough. That’s it. So, he’s been given this chance and too bad. And he was wanting that chance, he was screaming for it.”

“He was put in and he didn’t cut it. It’s that simple and you can’t feel bad for him. He has been given the chance to be in the top team, and he didn’t cut it.”

“He was promoted to the big league and you can see the frustration. And it’s making him drive even worse because he knows he’s not quick enough right now.”

Implications for Red Bull’s Future Team Structure

The potential recruitment of a proven champion like Fernando Alonso alongside Max Verstappen could end Red Bull’s ongoing difficulties in securing a reliable second driver. Adding a driver with championship pedigree might not only push Verstappen further but also deliver the internal competition and balance the team needs.

Until then, Red Bull must carefully consider whether to continue promoting from their current academy or to pursue experienced contenders who have already proven their capabilities at the highest level in Formula 1. Addressing this situation is crucial for maintaining Red Bull’s competitive edge in the championship moving forward.