Red Bull’s Future Driver Decisions Amid Formula One Silly Season

MONZA, Italy — Although things seem quiet for some teams, the Formula One silly season remains active.

Red Bull has been a focal point of speculation for months as fans and insiders awaited confirmation of Max Verstappen’s continuation with the Milton Keynes team for another season. The announcement finally came during the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, leading to curiosity about who will take up the second seat at Red Bull. This seat is particularly challenging within the current regulations era. Former driver Sergio Pérez remarked, “Being teammates with Max at Red Bull as a young driver, I wouldn’t want to be in that position. The level of challenge in this seat shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Since the regulation changes began in 2022, Verstappen has had three teammates, with Pérez being the longest-serving before his exit at the end of the 2024 season. Liam Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after just two races this year, and Tsunoda has been in the seat since Suzuka. Red Bull’s new team principal, Laurent Mekies, has confirmed during the Italian GP weekend that there are no plans for further driver changes this season.

Not only is Verstappen a formidable teammate due to his exceptional talent, but the Red Bull car has also become increasingly difficult to handle as the seasons progress. Dominant victories like last weekend’s at Monza have become less frequent. As Isack Hadjar, a driver under Red Bull contract, pointed out, with new regulations coming in 2026, “it’s a fresh start for the team.”

Candidates for the Second Seat

With the 2026 season looming just five months away, who are the potential candidates for the second Red Bull seat?

Yuki Tsunoda

Tsunoda has been a consistent figure for Red Bull this season, having transitioned from the Racing Bulls team. He made his F1 debut in 2021 and has shown growth, particularly as a leader, scoring most of the team’s points in 2024. However, despite scoring his first points with Red Bull at the 2025 Japanese GP, his performance has been underwhelming compared to Verstappen. With a significant gap in qualifying times, Tsunoda’s future remains uncertain, especially given Red Bull’s history of quickly replacing underperforming drivers.

Isack Hadjar

Under increasing pressure, Hadjar has been asked about his readiness for a potential promotion. He’s focused on his rookie season but acknowledges that moving up is easier with the upcoming regulations reset. He has performed well for Racing Bulls this year, showcasing his capabilities with a podium finish at Zandvoort. While he hasn’t had discussions with Red Bull about a promotion yet, he’s optimistic about his future, stating, “I want to race for the best team.”

Liam Lawson

Lawson’s chances of returning to Red Bull appear slim, as the team has never reinstated a driver who has been demoted. Although he’s improved since returning to Racing Bulls, the team’s history and Hadjar’s strong performance could hinder his chances. Lawson remains focused on securing his own place in Formula One rather than worrying about the potential for a return to Red Bull.

Arvid Lindblad

Regarded as a promising talent, Lindblad received his super license at just 17 and has shown remarkable skill in junior categories. While he continues to excel in Formula Two, it’s more likely he will be considered for a Racing Bulls seat rather than directly stepping up to Red Bull. For Lindblad to move into the main team, another driver would likely need to be dropped.

Looking Ahead

Mekies has shared that Red Bull is in no rush to finalize their 2026 driver lineup, indicating that they have the flexibility to explore options without hasty decisions. The fans will have to wait a little longer for clarity on who will secure the coveted second seat, with various variables remaining in play.