Red Bull Driver Exit Leaked as Max Verstappen’s 2026 Team-Mate ‘Confirmed’ On Air
A major leak has shaken the Formula One paddock after Sky Sports F1 analyst Ted Kravitz appeared to prematurely reveal Red Bull’s 2026 driver lineup live on television. Despite the team insisting that no official announcement will be made until after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the long-speculated plans for Max Verstappen’s new team-mate now seem all but confirmed.
For months, Red Bull have avoided giving clear answers regarding their future driver structure — both for the main Red Bull Racing team and their sister outfit, Racing Bulls. But behind the scenes, decisions appear to have been made, and according to Kravitz, the team has already informed the relevant drivers ahead of time.
Tsunoda’s Future in Jeopardy
Yuki Tsunoda’s challenging tenure with Red Bull looks set to come to an unhappy end. The Japanese driver has endured a difficult 2025 campaign, consistently overshadowed by Racing Bulls pair Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar. While Lawson has remained steady and reliable, Hadjar has produced breakout performances — including a sensational first Formula 1 podium at Zandvoort — making him the standout candidate for promotion.
Tsunoda has been visibly affected by the uncertainty surrounding his future. Throughout the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, his media interactions carried a sombre tone, hinting that he already knew his fate. Speaking to Viaplay, he admitted cryptically:
“I know something that I can’t share, but most people know it. I’m in a similar understanding with you guys.”
His comments only fuelled rumours that the decision to move him out of the Red Bull system had already been taken.
Hadjar Gives His Own Hint
Hadjar likewise struggled to conceal his excitement after reportedly being informed of Red Bull’s 2026 plans. At Lusail, the young French driver said with a smile:
“Apparently it’s now decided one round before the end of the season.”
Although he did not explicitly confirm anything, the tone and timing suggested that he had received good news — further strengthening speculation about his imminent elevation to the top team.
Kravitz Confirms the Leak on Live TV
The situation escalated dramatically during Ted Kravitz’s post-qualifying Notebook segment on Sky Sports F1 on Saturday. While walking through the Qatar paddock, Kravitz casually dropped what appeared to be an exclusive — and unintended — early reveal of Red Bull’s 2026 driver lineup.
Standing outside the Racing Bulls motorhome, Kravitz announced:
“I can save you the announcement that all these nice people on the socials are going to make next week, that Isack Hadjar will be joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.”
He went on to share that both Hadjar and Tsunoda had already been officially notified. According to him, Hadjar’s excitement and Tsunoda’s disappointment were impossible to hide during their Thursday media appearances.
Kravitz explained:
“Isack couldn’t contain his excitement, and Yuki couldn’t contain his disappointment. They’ve both been told, and I think the announcement will come next week — unless I’ve just given it away early.”
The statement effectively confirmed what had long been whispered in F1 circles: Hadjar is set to become Max Verstappen’s next teammate in 2026, while Tsunoda’s time in the Red Bull programme is nearly over.
What Happens to Racing Bulls?
Red Bull’s plans for the sister team also appear to be taking shape. With Hadjar moving up to the main team and Lawson expected to stay at Racing Bulls, the remaining seat is reportedly earmarked for rising star Arvid Lindblad. The young British-Swedish driver has impressed throughout his progression through the junior categories and is seen as the next big Red Bull prospect.
If these moves become official, Tsunoda will be the odd man out — with no available seat remaining in the Red Bull ecosystem. Kravitz hinted strongly that the Japanese driver could be forced out of Formula 1 entirely unless another team decides to pick him up.
He concluded with:
“We don’t know who’s going to be joining Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, we think it’s probably going to be Arvid Lindblad — leaving Yuki Tsunoda out of Formula 1.”
Official Confirmation Expected Soon
Although Red Bull has not released any formal statements, the paddock now widely believes that the 2026 lineup is finalised. Unless the team surprises everyone, the announcement expected next week will likely confirm:
Max Verstappen & Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing
Liam Lawson & Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls
Yuki Tsunoda without a seat for 2026
With Kravitz’s unexpected broadcast revelation, the suspense around Red Bull’s plans has effectively evaporated — and all eyes now wait for the official confirmation.
