Red Bull Set to Announce F1 2026 Driver Lineup Next Week

Red Bull is poised to reveal its F1 2026 driver lineup on Tuesday, with the fates of Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda expected to be clarified. This announcement will confirm the pairings for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls, filling three out of the four unconfirmed seats across the two teams.

Why it matters:

The driver market for 2026 has been a hot topic, with intense speculation surrounding Red Bull's choices. This announcement is crucial for solidifying the future of several promising talents within the Red Bull academy and setting the stage for their long-term strategy in Formula 1. The decision will impact not only the drivers directly involved but also the competitive dynamics within the Red Bull family of teams.

The Details:

• Timeline Confirmed: Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed the announcement for Tuesday, emphasizing that it will not disrupt their focus on the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
• Hadjar's Likely Promotion: Isack Hadjar is widely expected to be promoted, having reportedly let slip during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend that he knows his future. His demeanor and impressive rookie campaign strongly suggest a move up the ladder.
• Vacancy at Racing Bulls: Hadjar's potential promotion creates an open seat at Racing Bulls and displaces Yuki Tsunoda, who has been with Red Bull Racing since the second round of the 2025 F1 season.
• Tsunoda's Performance: While Tsunoda has shown improved results recently, including a fourth-place finish in the Qatar Sprint, it's generally considered to be too little, too late for a sustained Red Bull Racing seat. However, a return to Racing Bulls remains a possibility.
• Racing Bulls Contenders: The lineup for Racing Bulls is less clear, with Tsunoda, Lawson, and F2 driver Arvid Lindblad all in contention for the two available seats. The trio reportedly met with Red Bull's driver tsar Helmut Marko during the Qatar weekend to learn their future.
• Lindblad's Strong Position: 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad appears to be a certainty for one of the Racing Bulls seats, leaving Lawson and Tsunoda to contend for the remaining spot.

What's next:

The upcoming announcement will likely mark a significant turning point in the F1 career of at least one of these drivers. The competitive landscape within the Red Bull organization will shift, as new talent is brought in and existing drivers find their future paths defined. All eyes will be on Tuesday's official confirmation to see how Red Bull's 2026 grid takes shape.