Red Bull Reportedly Finalize Decision on Max Verstappen’s 2026 Formula 1 Team-Mate
Red Bull Racing have reportedly reached an internal decision on who will partner reigning world champion Max Verstappen for the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite no official announcement being made.
The Dutch superstar remains the only confirmed driver for Red Bull’s main team next year, but speculation has been intense over who will fill the coveted second seat. The decision carries major implications, not only for Red Bull’s senior team but also for their junior outfit, Racing Bulls, which currently has no confirmed drivers for 2026.
Postponed Announcement Amid Title Battle
Originally, Red Bull had aimed to confirm their driver lineup shortly after the Mexican Grand Prix. However, with Verstappen deeply entrenched in the championship fight, team management reportedly chose to delay any announcement to avoid unnecessary distractions. Both Red Bull and Racing Bulls have indicated that their focus remains on securing the title rather than engaging in speculation about next year’s lineup.
Team principals Laurent Mekies (Racing Bulls) and Alan Permane have also hinted that fans may need to wait until after the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi for an official confirmation. The decision to delay public disclosure has only fueled further curiosity, with pundits and insiders offering their own insights into what may already be decided behind the scenes.
Karun Chandhok: “The Decision Has Been Made Internally”
Sky F1 analyst and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has added fuel to the speculation, stating during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend that the team’s decision appears to be finalized. According to Chandhok, Red Bull’s next lineup will feature two fresh faces—Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad—both of whom are rising stars from the Red Bull Junior Programme.
“I think Hadjar has got to move to the big team—that looks like it’s going to happen,” Chandhok said during Sky Sports’ post-qualifying coverage in São Paulo. “It looks like Lindblad is coming in [to Racing Bulls]. They seem to have made that decision. If that’s the case, I’d probably keep Liam Lawson as well because they’ll need some stability if they’re bringing in a rookie like Lindblad.”
If Chandhok’s prediction is accurate, Red Bull would be taking a bold step by promoting Hadjar, who is currently in his rookie Formula 1 season, to the senior team after just one year. Meanwhile, Lindblad, currently excelling in Formula 2 and widely regarded as one of the most promising young drivers in the sport, would make his debut in 2026 with Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda’s Future in Doubt
However, such a reshuffle could come at a cost—particularly for Yuki Tsunoda, who may find himself without a seat for 2026. The Japanese driver, who has been part of the Red Bull setup since his debut in 2021, faces mounting uncertainty about his future in Formula 1.
Tsunoda has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but consistency and results have often eluded him. Furthermore, with Honda’s partnership with Red Bull coming to an end, the Japanese manufacturer’s influence in securing Tsunoda’s place within the team has waned significantly.
Chandhok addressed the issue, saying: “Yuki’s confidence must be down after this year. The Honda relationship is ending with that partnership, so they don’t really owe Honda anything anymore. That means there’s no obligation to keep a Japanese driver.”
If the rumors are true, Tsunoda’s exit would mark the end of a five-year association with the Red Bull family. With no open seats expected elsewhere on the 2026 grid, the 25-year-old could be forced to seek opportunities outside Formula 1—possibly in Super Formula or the World Endurance Championship.
The Bigger Picture for Red Bull
This potential driver reshuffle would be a significant strategic move for Red Bull, signaling a long-term investment in youth. Promoting Hadjar to the senior team alongside Verstappen would continue Red Bull’s legacy of grooming young talents, as they once did with Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo.
However, the decision is not without risk. The second Red Bull seat has often been referred to as the “most difficult job in Formula 1,” with several talented drivers struggling to match Verstappen’s pace and adaptability. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Pérez all faced similar challenges in the past, and Hadjar could be next in line to face the intense pressure of performing alongside one of the sport’s most dominant drivers.
Meanwhile, Racing Bulls could field one of the youngest lineups on the grid in 2026 with Lindblad and Lawson, blending youthful energy with growing experience. Such a combination could strengthen Red Bull’s development pipeline for future seasons while providing valuable data and on-track learning for the new generation of Red Bull-backed racers.
For now, fans and pundits alike will have to wait for official confirmation from Red Bull. But if Chandhok’s assessment is accurate, the team has already made its choice—and the next chapter of Red Bull’s driver lineup could be one of the most intriguing in recent Formula 1 history.
