Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar both have contracts with the Red Bull family for 2026, with final decisions on seat allocations to come later in the year.
Two contracts locked in — but where they sit remains open
Verstappen is tied to a long-term deal through 2028. Rising star Hadjar, impressive in his debut Formula 1 season with Racing Bulls, also has a 2026 agreement within the organisation. Speaking to Kleine Zeitung, Marko said: "We deliberately want to take until the end of October, perhaps even longer, to have all the comparisons. The only thing that’s certain is that Verstappen and Hadjar have contracts. Where and in what position is still open, however."
Three seats, four contenders in the Red Bull ecosystem
Beyond the senior team’s second seat alongside the four-time world champion, Racing Bulls has its own decisions to make. Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and Red Bull F2 junior Arvid Lindblad are vying for the available places across the two squads for the start of the new power unit regulations.
Tsunoda still in the frame — with a clear target
Despite speculation that Hadjar could be promoted to partner Verstappen, Marko insists Red Bull is not giving up on Tsunoda. The Japanese driver, who has scored 10 points since replacing Lawson, is beginning to make strides, and Marko hopes new Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies — who worked closely with Tsunoda in the sister team — can help unlock more performance. "Since his promotion, Laurent Mekies has been very busy in all areas. He hasn’t yet had the time to work on Yuki in detail," Marko explained. "But we all still have hope for Yuki. His goal for the rest of the year must be to finish in the points as often and consistently as possible. Then we’ll see how things go next year."
Why the wait?
Red Bull’s methodical approach reflects a desire to compare form across circuits and conditions through the end of October — and possibly beyond — before committing to the final 2026 structure. With new engine regulations on the horizon, the team is keen to align drivers, car development, and organisational stability.
For now, the headline remains simple: Verstappen stays the cornerstone, Hadjar has earned his place in the plan, and the remaining seats will be awarded on evidence — not hype.
