Red Bull Drops Junior Drivers Goethe and Tramnitz Ahead of 2026

Red Bull is trimming its renowned junior driver program, dropping Oliver Goethe and Tim Tramnitz ahead of the 2026 season. The decision comes as the team re-evaluates its young talent pipeline, a program that has launched careers for champions like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Both drivers face an uncertain future despite their continued presence in the feeder series.

Why it matters:

The Red Bull Junior Team is one of the most prestigious pathways to Formula 1, but its backing is notoriously conditional. These cuts highlight the immense pressure on young drivers to perform and secure competitive seats. For Red Bull, it's a strategic move to focus resources on drivers they believe have the highest potential to reach F1 and succeed.

The details:

• Oliver Goethe: After a full 2025 F2 season with MP Motorsport, the German driver finished a disappointing 15th in the championship. While he has lost Red Bull's financial backing, he will remain on the grid with the same team for 2026.
• Tim Tramnitz: The German showed promise by finishing 4th in the 2025 F3 standings. However, his departure was reportedly contingent on his inability to secure a "competitive" F2 seat for the upcoming season, a condition set by Red Bull for continued support.
• Wider Cull: The departures extend beyond F2 and F3, with Red Bull also parting ways with lower-category drivers Jules Cantara and Christopher Feghali. Pepe Marti also left the program earlier in 2025.

What's next:

For Goethe and Tramnitz, the 2026 season becomes a critical make-or-break year to prove their worth on track without the safety net of Red Bull's backing. They must rely on their performance to attract future opportunities. For Red Bull, the focus now shifts to the remaining juniors in the program, who will be under even greater scrutiny to deliver results and justify their place in one of motorsport's most famous talent academies.