Hadjar to Red Bull, Honda Deal Could Offer Tsunoda F1 Lifeline

Isack Hadjar is set to join Red Bull Racing as Max Verstappen's teammate for 2026, while Arvid Lindblad will move to Racing Bulls. This shake-up leaves Yuki Tsunoda's F1 race seat in doubt, but ongoing talks between Red Bull and Honda for a testing engine deal could provide a crucial lifeline for the Japanese driver to maintain F1 involvement.

Why it matters:

• Red Bull's 2026 driver lineup signals a major shift, with new talent ascending while established drivers like Tsunoda face uncertainty.
• The potential Honda deal for testing engines is critical, not just for Tsunoda's future but for Red Bull's ability to develop young drivers and test F1 equipment under new FIA regulations.
• This situation highlights the complex interplay of driver contracts, engine supplier relationships, and regulatory changes in Formula 1.

The details:

• New Red Bull Lineup: Motorsport.com understands that Isack Hadjar will become Max Verstappen's new teammate at Red Bull Racing.
• Racing Bulls Promotion: Arvid Lindblad is expected to be promoted to an F1 seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull's sister team.
• Tsunoda's Status: Yuki Tsunoda is likely to lose his full-time race seat for 2026. A report from De Telegraaf suggests Liam Lawson will be retained at Racing Bulls.
  • Tsunoda hinted at this during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, stating he "knew something he couldn't say yet."
• Honda-Red Bull Talks: Red Bull is in discussions with Honda for a deal to supply V6 turbo-hybrid powertrains for testing of previous cars (TPC) next year.
  • Red Bull's Helmut Marko confirmed a positive meeting with Honda, saying, "I think we're on the right track to resolving this issue."
• FIA Regulations: The FIA recently mandated that engine manufacturers must supply engines to their former customer teams for TPC testing, crucially without a price cap. This allows manufacturers to charge significantly increased prices.
• Financial Implications: Prices for TPC testing are not included in the budget cap, meaning teams like Red Bull can theoretically afford the cost, regardless of how high, without impacting their development budget.

The big picture:

Red Bull is transitioning to its own power unit with Ford for 2026, ending its long-standing relationship with Honda as an engine supplier. This shift has complicated Honda's marketing involvement with Tsunoda, who has strong ties to the Japanese manufacturer. The TPC engine deal would allow Red Bull to continue essential testing, which is crucial given the limited number of regular test and filming days in F1.

What's next:

• Red Bull is expected to announce its 2026 driver lineup on Tuesday, confirming Hadjar's and Lindblad's promotions.
• Finalizing the TPC deal with Honda is a top priority for Red Bull to ensure continued testing opportunities for young talent and potentially offer Tsunoda a reserve role with a dedicated TPC program.
• If the Honda deal is successful, it could provide Tsunoda with a pathway to remain involved in Formula 1, even without a full-time race seat, leveraging his experience and relationship with Honda.