We will know the lineup of 2026 Red Bull drivers by the end of the week. Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies revealed that the long-awaited decision will arrive after this weekend’s Qatar GP, and not Abu Dhabi …
Dr Helmut Marko had previously indicated the call would be made only after the season finale in Abu Dhabi. However, Mekies told reporters in Las Vegas: “We will announce our 2026 Red Bull drivers immediately after Qatar. Just one more week of patience,” he said.
2026 RED BULL DRIVERS
Understandably, the news has heightened tension in the garage. Particularly for Yuki Tsunoda, whose future among the 2026 Red Bull drivers looks most uncertain. The Japanese driver admitted he is ‘nervous’ about the situation. If not selected for either Red Bull or Racing Bulls, he risks being left without a race seat for 2026.
“It’s a similar situation as last year or even two years ago. To be honest, I got used to it. That’s part of Formula 1. The good thing is I have experience with that situation a lot of times. I know what I have to do for the last two races. In the end, those decisions I can’t control,” said Tsunoda.
WRONG SETUP IN LAS VEGAS
Despite a poor race in Las Vegas for the Japanese driver, the team admitted he battled with a wrong setup choice. “Multiple times in practice, I was ahead of Max in performance runs. I think that’s something we didn’t see for a long time. I guess people noticed it. But what I want is a result. We need to tidy it all up for Qatar,” he said.
Nevertheless, despite Tsunoda’s progress, it is widely rumoured that Isack Hadjar is favourite among the 2026 Red Bull drivers to take a seat alongside Max Verstappen. In contrast to Tsunoda, Hadjar said he feels no nerves about the process.
“Actually, I’d like to know at the end of the year. Because it’s more annoying than anything – all the noise. I’m in a better position. Last year I didn’t know what I was doing, so I’m a lot less panicked now,” said the Frenchman – with GMM
What do you think? Who should be the Red Bull partner to Max Verstappen? And who should be given opportunities at the sister team? Let us know in the comments section below …
