12/08/2025 18:20
The Formula 1 silly season has quietened since Max Verstappen
confirmed he will stick with Red Bull for 2026. The Dutchman was
linked with a move to Mercedes for next season, but announced his
commitment to Red Bull during the recent Hungarian GP. It seals one
side of the Austrian outfit's garage, with the other remaining up
in the air. Yuki Tsunoda's contract is due to expire at the end of
the year, and an extension is yet to be offered to the Japanese
driver. Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has long believed
in young talent, and has been eager to hand them opportunities. In
theory, Tsunoda could return to Racing Bulls next year; however,
that does not appear to be an obvious option. Isack Hadjar is
likely the next in line to be handed a promotion to partner
Verstappen, following an excellent debut campaign so far for the
sister squad. The French-Algerian has impressed Marko, although no
decision on which team he will race for in 2026 has been made. For
Hadjar to assure himself a Red Bull seat for the first season of
the new power unit regulations, he will need to continue performing
against Liam Lawson. Lawson has shown considerable improvement in
the final rounds before the summer break, having initially
struggled following his Red Bull demotion after two races. Lawson
an outsider? Lawson is very much an outsider for an immediate
return to Red Bull, with his primary goal being to retain his seat
within the Faenza-based outfit. Hadjar, it would appear, is very
much the frontrunner for the second seat alongside Verstappen, but
most beat a motivated Lawson to convince the team to drop Tsunoda.
Tsunoda has struggled since replacing Lawson, and is currently on
the longest point-less streak of any driver in the Milton
Keynes-based team's history. Despite this, improvements have been
made, offering a small glimmer of hope for the final 10 rounds. A
new deal for the Japanese driver is not impossible, although
another driver could get in his way: Arvid Lindblad. Red Bull's
junior star is producing a solid maiden campaign in Formula 2, and
has already conducted TPCs (Testing of Previous Cars) for the
outfit. It could be decided that a second season in F2 is the way
to go, whilst an F1 promotion is the other option. Lindblad
promotion Should Red Bull and Marko want to promote Lindblad, a
driver will have to be sacrificed. It has not yet been decided who
that could be, with Verstappen being the only safe driver. There
is, another external factor involved. Whilst it is currently not
plausible, a return of Alex Albon should never be completely ruled
out. Albon has a good relationship with Red Bull owner Chalerm
Yoovidhya and the Thai would love to see the Williams driver back
alongside Verstappen. For now, Albon has every confidence in James
Vowles' project at Williams and does not see himself leaving the
Grove-based team in the short-term. Given Albon's experience and
development in recent years, experienced management forces within
Red Bull would not be against the Williams star returning. However,
for now, it is off the table. Whilst Tsunoda, Lawson and Hadjar
head into the final 10 rounds with their futures on the line,
Hadjar currently appears to be the favourite to partner Verstappen
next year.