Tsunoda Hints at F1 Future as Hadjar's Red Bull Move Looms for 2026

Yuki Tsunoda has hinted at knowing his Formula 1 future, despite a challenging season, as speculation mounts that Isack Hadjar is set for a 2026 Red Bull seat, potentially leaving Tsunoda without a drive.

Why it matters:

Yuki Tsunoda's F1 future is a key piece of the 2026 driver market puzzle. With Red Bull's delayed driver announcements and Hadjar's strong rookie performance, Tsunoda's potential departure could open up opportunities elsewhere or signal a significant shift in Red Bull's junior driver strategy. This decision impacts not just the drivers involved but also the competitive balance between Red Bull and Racing Bulls.

The details:

• Tsunoda's Struggles: Tsunoda, now 25, has had his worst campaign since joining Red Bull from Racing Bulls for round three of the 2025 season. He sits 17th in the championship with only six points finishes.
• Hadjar's Rise: In contrast, Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar has enjoyed an impressive rookie year, including a podium finish at Zandvoort, leading to strong expectations that he will partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026.
• Lawson's Position: F2 driver Arvid Lindblad is rumored to partner Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, further complicating Tsunoda's path back to a Red Bull-affiliated seat.
• Tsunoda's Hint: Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, Tsunoda told Viaplay, "I know something that I can't share, but most people know it - I'm in a similar understanding with you guys." He quickly added, "I don't know what's going to happen, so let's see."
• No Plan B: When asked about a "Plan B" if he's out of F1 next year, Tsunoda replied, "No, not really. I'm only thinking about this race. It's not made yet, it's still in my hands and I'll just try to support Max as much as possible and if I'm able to achieve, that'll naturally be positive for my future so I'll just aim for that."
• Hadjar's Confidence: Hadjar seemingly hinted that the announcement would come earlier than expected, stating "apparently it's now decided one round before the end of the season," displaying confidence that his future is secured regardless of his final two race performances.
• 2026 Regulations: Hadjar views the 2026 regulation changes as an ideal time to join a top team, believing his adaptability to new cars is a strength, having never repeated a season with the same car in his career.

What's next:

Red Bull previously stated that driver pairings for both teams would be confirmed at the end of the season, but Hadjar's comments suggest an earlier announcement could be imminent. Should Hadjar indeed move to Red Bull, Tsunoda will likely be forced to seek opportunities outside the Red Bull family, with most other teams having already confirmed their 2026 lineups. Tsunoda's focus remains on supporting Max Verstappen and delivering strong performances in the remaining races, hoping to influence any final decisions.