Red Bull is likely to postpone any driver line-up decisions until the end of this season as Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson all face uncertain futures.
There were indications that a call could be made ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, but sources in Mexico City suggested to RACER that this now looks less likely. With no decisions announced by the time the teams arrive in Interlagos, the three drivers awaiting their fate all see the final four rounds as an opportunity to prove themselves.
For Tsunoda, he admits this means he has not been as involved in the development of the 2026 car as teammate Max Verstappen, but is prioritizing his own more immediate performance.
“I would say probably not that much [involvement] Especially like Max,” Tsunoda said. ‘No, I’m just completely focused on the current year, 2025, and that’s it.
“I have to maximize every race. I’m sure he will give me more feedback about next year’s car and all that, but what I’m doing now is a very different situation than him, and I have to keep performing in the coming races. No, I would say I’m just focusing on this race.”
Sources suggest Hadjar is being considered to replace Tsunoda at Red Bull in 2026 after a strong rookie season, but the Frenchman says he does not need early confirmation of his plans.
“I mean, to be honest, it’s something I’m used to,” Hadjar said. “I have never signed a contract or announced anything before the end of the season in my entire career. So I always had to keep my head down and keep pushing until the very last lap. It is nothing new for me, and that is how it works at Red Bull.”
Should Hadjar be promoted, Tsunoda or Lawson would likely drive for Racing Bulls alongside F2 talent Arvid Lindblad, but Lawson also says there have been no specific discussions about what 2026 could mean for him.
“Just little things [has been discussed since Mexico]I think I’m more focused on these races, not so much [the future]”I think we’re all aware, obviously, that the decisions will all come towards the end of this year, but the message to us is the same as always. It’s clear to act.
“That’s what I’m trying to do, and what we’re all trying to do. I don’t think anything goes deeper than that right now. That will really determine next year.”
Apart from the Red Bull and Racing Bulls seats, the only other vacancy on next year’s grid is currently Alpine’s, where Franco Colapinto is expected to maintain his drive.
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