Red Bull F1 chief Helmut Marko drops major 2026 driver lineup hint

Dr. Helmut Marko in Imola — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

Red Bull chief drops major 2026 driver lineup hint

The second F1 seat at Red Bull is up for grabs

Originally written by Sheona Mountford. This version is a translation.

Thursday 4 September 2025 17:00

Senior Red Bull Formula 1 figure Helmut Marko has dropped a major clue as to when the team could finalize their driver lineup for 2026.

Currently, Max Verstappen is the star of the show at Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda currently occupying the second seat after being promoted to the team following Liam Lawson's axing earlier this season.

Like Lawson and many of their predecessors, however, Tsunoda too has struggled going up against his four-time world championship-winning teammate.

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Meanwhile, Isack Hajdar has been impressing for Racing Bulls - Red Bull's junior team - sparking speculation that he could be the one to partner Verstappen next season.

Marko on Hadjar to Red Bull

While Hadjar stood alongside Verstappen on the podium at Zandvoort, Tsunoda was all the way down in a disappointing ninth, and faced with the irony that this was his best finish since the Bahrain GP back in April.

Speaking to oe24, Marko was asked whether Hadjar was ready for the promotion to Red Bull next season, to which the 82-year-old provided the date they will reach a decision.

“Let's see. We have until October to make that decision,” he said.

Will Hadjar compete for Red Bull?

Hadjar’s performance at the Dutch GP was a display of maturity for the young driver, who had the pace to qualify fourth and hold onto the position for the entirety of Sunday's race.

The French driver fended off the likes of George Russell and Charles Leclerc without making any rookie errors, while also possessing the patience to not chase after Verstappen for a podium finish.

Ultimately, Lando Norris’ engine failure gifted him his first F1 podium, but the achievement only highlighted a mindset and ability that had gone under the radar for the majority of the 2025 season.

The ability to perform free from scrutiny has been a blessing for Hadjar, alleviating the pressure his rookie counterparts, such as Kimi Antonelli, have been subjected to at bigger teams.

There is no guarantee this pressure will not trigger the same downward spiral Tsunoda has experienced, should Hadjar be promoted to Red Bull.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Formula 1 Isack Hadjar