While Red Bull was to formalize the arrival of Isack Hadjar for 2026 last weekend, the Austrian team still harbors certain doubts.
Who to accompany Max Verstappen in 2026? Red Bull’s second seat still remains vacant for next season. Currently occupied by Yuki Tsunoda, the Austrian team’s second car was first entrusted to Liam Lawson, who started the 2025 season alongside the four-time champion before being replaced by Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls.
Since then, Yuki Tsunoda has taken control of the second RB21. But the Japanese does not seem assured of keeping his seat for next year. Isack Hadjar appears on pole to become Max Verstappen’s teammate from 2026. Red Bull was even supposed to formalize his arrival last weekend, during the Mexican Grand Prix, but nothing has yet been confirmed.
Laurent Mekies spoke on the subject. “Yuki had his best weekend in a long time. We’ve said this many times before, but it’s true. He was very close to Max in qualifying, I think it was two tenths in Q2. Today, the first stint was also very strong, two or three tenths behind Max on the same long stint on medium tires”he explained, relayed by NextGenAuto.
Lawson or Tsunoda?
However, according to PlanetF1, the last question concerns the second seat of Racing Bulls. Isack Hadjar will indeed be Max Verstappen’s teammate, but Red Bull is still hesitant about the composition of its VCARB team. Hadjar’s place should go to young Arvid Lindblad, while the choice of teammate for the second seat is between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson.
Tsunoda has turned things around in recent weeks. Not enough to stay at Red Bull, but enough to hope to keep a seat in F1, perhaps at Racing Bulls, especially since at Aston Martin, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso have been reappointed.
