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It has been a week since the news broke that Daniel Ricciardo would be leaving Red Bull at the end of the season and joining Renault next year. A surprising decision for some, with people in and around the paddock saying the Red Bull deal was all but confirmed.
So with the Australian set to join Renault next season alongside Nico Hulkenberg, who will be Max Verstappen’s teammate, come Melbourne in 2019?
In this article, we will be looking at the top five possible replacements for Ricciardo. With Red Bull normally choosing a driver through their junior program, could it be one of them to make the step up to the big team or could they switch it up and opt for experience, going into a season with a new engine partner in Honda?
#5 Fernando Alonso
This choice is a long shot, hence it is at number five on the list. Interestingly, in all driver rumours, Fernando Alonso’s name always seems to appear. The Spanish driver, who has been fighting at the wrong end of the grid for four years now, wants to have a winning car heading into 2019, but would Red Bull be the right option for him?
Red Bull boss Christian Horner thinks Alonso joining Red Bull would not be the best fit. "I have huge respect for Fernando," he recently told F1's official podcast.
“He is a great driver, a fantastic driver, but it's very difficult...he's tended to cause a bit of chaos wherever he's gone, I'm not sure it would be the healthiest thing for the team for Fernando to join. Our preference is to continue to invest in youth than take a driver who is obviously close to the end of his career."
Another stumbling block for Alonso would be the engine supplier. With McLaren just joining Renault this year, would Alonso want to join Red Bull, who has announced Honda as their engine supplier for 2019?
#4 Esteban Ocon
At number four is Force India's Esteban Ocon. Now this is also an interesting one. The Frenchman looked set to rejoin Renault after he was a reserve driver back in 2016, but with that door now firmly shut, could a move to Red Bull be on the cards?
Red Bull will, of course, be looking for a talented replacement for Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon certainly fits the bill. He has done well while at Force India but with a junior driver with him for Mercedes, would the German manufacturer let him move to a rival?
Ocon does look set to stay at Force India but with the team being saved and new owners taking over, will they want a change for next year? One of the investors is Lawrence Stroll (Lance's dad) who will, no doubt, want his son to be driving for the team next season.
#3 Brendon Hartley
At number three is Brendon Hartley. The Toro Rosso driver has not had the best of seasons but with him being in the Red Bull family, could he be the one to step up for 2019?
The New Zealand driver has had rotten luck this year, with him only scoring two points all season but his recent performances in Germany and Hungary did show he has the talent to compete in the sport. But the question remains -- does he have enough to compete at the top teams?
There has been rumours that Hartley might not even keep his seat at Toro Rosso for 2019? I think they would be unwise to lose Hartley for next year as he will be able to guide Red Bull with with their new engine partner and, as much as the stats don't lie, I feel he needs to be given more time to deliver.
Could being promoted to Red Bull itself be the spark he needs?
#2 Carlos Sainz
In the number two spot is Carlos Sainz. After losing his place at Renault to Ricciardo, he needs to find a team for next season. But with him only being loaned out to Renault by Red Bull last year when he replaced Jolyon Palmer, could he return to the Milton Keynes based team?
He is certainly a strong contender for the race seat and after impressing at Renault, Red Bull will find it tough to choose the partner for Max Verstappen next year. Sainz has also attracted attention from McLaren, with them looking to have Sainz partnering Fernando Alonso next season.
If Red Bull look elsewhere, Sainz will certainly look at joining McLaren for 2019.
#1 Pierre Gasly
At number one is Pierre Gasly. The young Frenchman has impressed so far in 2018 with great performances in Bahrain, where he finished fourth and in Hungary, when he finished sixth. He looks like a talent Red Bull cannot afford to let sit mid table ever in the race weekend.
The partnership between Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly would be fresh and exciting for F1 fans and all would hope for many battles between the two drivers. Gasly would have the edge going into next season, knowing the way in which the engine works in the car, but Verstappen would be more comfortable having been in the team a number of years.
What makes this appointment even better is the age of the two drivers. With Gasly at 22 years old and Verstappen at 20, both drivers still have many more years in the sport. And that would allow Red Bull to maintain the same driver line-up for at least the next five years or maybe more.
Pierre Gasly looks like the right choice for Red Bull. He is young, talented and ready for the next level. If it is announced, I am looking forward to seeing these two drivers above as teammates next season.
