F1
Ayumu Iwasa to replace Max Verstappen if suspended
Xavi Bonilla / DPPI
We know the possible replacement for Max Verstappen. Ayumu Iwasa will take the wheel of the Red Bull of the Dutchman if he is suspended for one race. A hypothetical new change to the line-up of the Austrian team, already at the heart of debates this season.
As a reminder, following his collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, the four-time world champion is facing a one-race suspension. With eleven penalty points out of a maximum of twelve, the reigning world champion has no room for error.
On June 30, 2025, Verstappen will recover two points after the expiration of those awarded for his collision with Lando Norris at the 2024 Austrian GP. A sword of Damocles will therefore hang over the four-time world champion at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit (Canadian GP, June 15) and at the Red Bull Ring (Austrian GP, June 29).
The Austrian team has already seen a change in its driver line-up after just two Grands Prix with the swap between Liam Lawson and Yuki tsunoda. Change could again take place if the Dutchman were to be replaced, and the interim is known: Ayumu Iwasa. The information was confirmed by the Milton Keynes-based team at RacingNews365.
The 23-year-old Japanese driver currently serves as Red Bull's reserve driver. He has already taken part in a free practice session in Bahrain in Max Verstappen's RB21, alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
This event, which could therefore be repeated over the entire weekend if Max Verstappen were suspended, comes at a particular time for Red Bull. Fourth in the Constructors' standings, 203 points behind the leader McLarenThe Austrian team has a controversial RB21, considered only drivable by the Dutchman. It remains to be seen what the consequences could be of this hypothetical absence of the man who scored 137 of his team's 144 points.
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GuillaumeT
12/06/2025 at 11:19 a.m.
RacingNews365 say in their article that Verstappen's replacement will be either Hadjar or Lawson, that Iwasa will go to RacingBulls and that Lindblad will be the reserve driver.
vincent moyet
10/06/2025 at 10:09 a.m.
At RBR, they know very well that once the visor is down, Verstappen is uncontrollable. Even if he and the team are aware that he's on the verge of suspension and the definitive loss of the title, it's better to cover the rear. In any case, if Verstappen keeps a low profile and settles for two decent races in Canada and Austria, the title will also slip away almost definitively. So they might as well let him lose it with... some will say panache, others, a total lack of common sense.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
09/06/2025 at 04:28 a.m.
What a good decision not to requisition Hadjar in case the Dutchman is suspended!! Good to prevent the future but it could imply that Verstappen has no intention of buying a ride for the Canadian GP and that Red Bull is completely giving up on the 2025 Constructors' title (which was already more or less obvious)!