Ralf Schumacher Predicts Yuki Tsunoda Will Lose Red Bull F1 Seat for 2026

Ralf Schumacher, a former F1 driver, believes that Yuki Tsunoda will lose his Red Bull F1 seat for the 2026 season, with Isack Hadjar being promoted to partner Max Verstappen. This potential shake-up comes as Red Bull and its sister team, Racing Bulls, are among the few teams yet to finalize their driver lineups for the significant 2026 regulation changes.

Why it matters:

• The 2026 season marks a major regulatory overhaul in Formula 1, making stable and competitive driver lineups crucial for success.
• Red Bull's driver decisions not only impact their main team but also shape the future of their extensive junior program, affecting multiple promising talents.
• A clear direction for their driver roster could signal Red Bull's long-term strategy and commitment to developing specific young drivers.

The details:

• Tsunoda's Future: Ralf Schumacher stated to Sky Germany, "I think it's pretty clear what will happen with Tsunoda... it's obvious that nothing was going in any direction," implying Tsunoda's departure from the Red Bull family.
• Lawson's Position: Liam Lawson, who briefly stood in for Racing Bulls (then AlphaTauri) in 2023, is predicted to secure a full-time seat. Schumacher noted, "Lawson was lucky in his misfortune that he was allowed to come back, stabilised himself, and just made it through."
  • Lawson's recent performance in the sister team has seen him slightly ahead of Tsunoda in the standings by eight points, bolstering his case for a permanent spot.
• Hadjar's Promotion: Isack Hadjar is widely expected to be promoted to the main Red Bull team to race alongside Max Verstappen. His confident demeanor, even amidst potential performance fluctuations, suggests he is being groomed for a top-tier position.
  • Hadjar recently commented, "I can have the worst weekend in history. Now, it's not going to change anything," indicating a strong belief in his secure future with the team.
• Overall Lineup Speculation: Schumacher's prediction for the Red Bull driver pool is: "Tsunoda out, Hadjar over and Lindblad here," suggesting Arvid Lindblad could move into the Racing Bulls seat.

The big picture:

Red Bull Racing has a history of promoting talent from its junior program, a system that has produced drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen himself. The 2026 driver market is highly active, with many teams already confirming their lineups, putting pressure on Red Bull to finalize their strategy. The team's decisions will reflect their confidence in their current junior drivers to adapt to new regulations and contribute to championship aspirations.

What's next:

While Red Bull management maintains that no final decision has been made, an official announcement regarding their 2026 driver lineups is anticipated towards the end of the current Formula 1 season. These decisions will be crucial for the team's stability and competitiveness as F1 enters a new era of technical regulations.