Red Bull Confirms Liam Lawson for Racing Bulls in 2026, Yuki Tsunoda to Reserve Role

Red Bull has officially confirmed that Liam Lawson will remain at Racing Bulls for the 2026 season, while Yuki Tsunoda will lose his F1 race seat at both Red Bull and its sister team. Tsunoda will transition to a test and reserve driver role within the Red Bull family.

Why it matters:

This driver lineup shake-up for 2026 reflects Red Bull's long-term strategy for its junior talent pipeline and performance evaluation. For Tsunoda, it marks a significant shift from a race seat to a reserve role after five F1 seasons, highlighting the fierce competition and high stakes in Formula 1.

The Details:

• Lawson Retained: Liam Lawson, who has been with Racing Bulls, will continue with the team for 2026.
• New Teammate: He will be joined by Arvid Lindblad from F2, indicating Red Bull's commitment to promoting its rising stars.
• Tsunoda's New Role: Yuki Tsunoda will transition to a test and reserve driver for Red Bull in 2026. He will also serve as Racing Bulls' reserve driver when Ayu Iwasa is unavailable.
• Hadjar's Promotion: Isack Hadjar, currently tenth in the F2 standings with 51 points (18 more than Tsunoda in an inferior car), is the chosen replacement for Tsunoda.
• Performance Metrics (Since switch):
  • Points: Lawson (38 points, P14) leads Tsunoda (33 points, P15) by five points.
  • Highest Finish: Lawson achieved P5 in Baku; Tsunoda's highest was P6, also in Baku.
  • Top-10 Finishes (Races): Lawson has seven top-10 finishes to Tsunoda's six.
  • Top-10 Starts (Qualifying): Lawson secured eight top-10 starts, including a P3 in Baku, compared to Tsunoda's five, although Tsunoda started P5 in Australia early in the season.

Between the lines:

Red Bull's decision to move Tsunoda to a reserve role, despite his personality and improvements, suggests a strong emphasis on raw performance and future potential, particularly from its younger drivers. Laurent Mekies, Red Bull team principal, praised Tsunoda's maturity and contributions, indicating his continued value to the team in a different capacity. The statistical comparison between Lawson and Tsunoda, particularly since the mid-season switch, likely played a crucial role in this decision.

What's next:

This confirmation sets the stage for Red Bull's 2026 lineup, with a clear direction for its junior teams. Tsunoda's experience will be crucial in his new testing and reserve role, supporting the development of the 2026 projects. The progression of Lindblad and Hadjar will be closely watched as Red Bull continues to cultivate its next generation of F1 talent.