Red Bull's Driver Decision: 'Politics' Complicate 2026 Lineup
Red Bull's 2026 driver lineup faces significant delays and internal political complexities, according to Juan Pablo Montoya. While Max Verstappen is secure, the battle for remaining seats at both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls involves Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and Arvid Lindblad. Montoya suggests that changing power dynamics within Red Bull, particularly from 'Red Bull Austria,' are influencing decisions beyond purely performance-based metrics, making the outcome for drivers like Tsunoda less predictable despite his recent progress.
Internal politics at Red Bull are significantly complicating the team's driver lineup decisions for the 2026 F1 season, according to Juan Pablo Montoya. While Max Verstappen's seat is secure, the remaining spots at both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls are still uncertain, with multiple young talents vying for limited opportunities amidst changing internal dynamics.
Why it matters:
After years of a relatively clear driver development pipeline, Red Bull's current predicament highlights a shift in power dynamics within the organization. This 'problem' could impact not only the careers of promising drivers like Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar but also the overall competitive strategy for both Red Bull teams as they navigate future regulations.
The details:
- Delayed Decisions: Red Bull has postponed its final decisions on who will partner Verstappen and fill the two seats at Racing Bulls.
- Secure & Likely: Max Verstappen is confirmed at the top team, and Isack Hadjar is expected to remain with Racing Bulls, potentially moving up to the main team.
- Contenders: Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and F2 driver Arvid Lindblad are currently competing for the remaining seats.
- Montoya's Take: Juan Pablo Montoya believes that if Helmut Marko had sole decision-making authority, Yuki Tsunoda would likely be out. However, he suggests that "Red Bull Austria" is asserting more control, making decisions "a little more political."
- Lindblad's Ascent: Montoya anticipates Lindblad will secure a Racing Bulls drive.
- Tsunoda vs. Lawson: This leaves Tsunoda and Lawson in a direct battle for their F1 future.
- Tsunoda's Progress: Despite scoring fewer points than Verstappen, Montoya argues that Tsunoda has shown significant improvement, performing well relative to what other drivers in the Red Bull system have achieved. He believes Tsunoda deserves another year to continue his development.
- The 'Problem': Montoya identifies the internal politics as a "problem," noting that if decisions were based purely on driver results, all four current contenders (assuming Lindblad's promotion) would deserve to stay. He points to Tsunoda's "very strong political ties" as a potential factor in retaining his seat, though ultimately, he sees Tsunoda as the most probable to make way.
What's next:
The ongoing political shifts within Red Bull could lead to unexpected outcomes for their driver roster. The final decisions will reveal not only the team's faith in its young talent but also the evolving balance of power between different factions within the Red Bull empire, potentially setting a new precedent for how driver selections are made in the future.