Red Bull to Announce 2026 F1 Driver Line-ups on Tuesday

Red Bull is set to reveal its complete 2026 season driver line-ups for both its main team and Racing Bulls on Tuesday, as confirmed by Team Principal and CEO Laurent Mekies. The announcement will finalize the highly anticipated decisions, particularly regarding the remaining seat at Racing Bulls.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's driver decisions are always a focal point in Formula 1, influencing not only the direct performance of their two teams but also the broader driver market. The 2026 regulations bring significant changes, making these long-term driver commitments crucial for stability and future success. With Max Verstappen's current teammate Yuki Tsunoda's performance under scrutiny and Liam Lawson's consistent pressure, the final choice for Racing Bulls carries significant weight.

The Details:

• Initial Delay: Red Bull initially aimed to finalize its driver line-ups by the end of November but reconsidered, especially for the final Racing Bulls seat.
• Main Team Promotion: Isack Hadjar is widely expected to be promoted to the senior Red Bull team, partnering with reigning champion Max Verstappen.
• Racing Bulls Junior Slot: Junior driver Arvid Lindblad is slated to take Hadjar's vacant spot at Racing Bulls.
• Final Seat Battle: The last Racing Bulls seat is a direct contest between Liam Lawson, who has shown strong recent form, and Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen's current Red Bull partner whose recent performances have been inconsistent.
• Timing of Announcement: Laurent Mekies confirmed the Tuesday announcement, emphasizing that the decision needed to be made before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to avoid it becoming a distraction for the drivers. This timing allows for any departing driver to have a proper send-off at the season finale.

The Big Picture:

Red Bull's driver choices reflect their long-term strategy and their commitment to their formidable driver development program. The pressure on Yuki Tsunoda is not just about his performance, but also about the potential for a second driver to support Max Verstappen's championship bid. A strong second car is vital, especially when championship battles are as close as the ongoing 2025 season where every point counts.

What's next:

The Tuesday announcement will resolve the immediate speculation surrounding the 2026 driver line-ups for Red Bull and Racing Bulls. The focus will then shift to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the outcome of the 2025 title race could hinge on every performance. Red Bull hopes that by settling the driver situation, their teams can fully concentrate on securing crucial points, with Mekies specifically noting the need for Tsunoda to be at 100% to support Verstappen's potential title challenge.