Racing Bulls Eyeing All-New Driver Line-Up for 2026 to Find Next Max Verstappen

Racing Bulls could be looking at a completely new driver lineup for 2026, driven by Red Bull's relentless search for the next Max Verstappen, according to three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick. This ambitious strategy aims to unearth a superstar talent rather than settling for a solid but ultimately second-tier driver.

Why it matters:

• Red Bull's junior program has historically been a proving ground for future champions, and a fresh overhaul at Racing Bulls signals a renewed, aggressive push to find a driver who can genuinely challenge or complement Max Verstappen.
• This potential shake-up underscores Red Bull's high expectations for their academy drivers, prioritizing raw, championship-winning potential over consistent, but perhaps not extraordinary, performance.

The Details:

• Current Contracts: Yuki Tsunoda's contract with Racing Bulls expires at the end of 2025.
• Potential Promotions: Rookie Isack Hadjar is rumored for a promotion to Red Bull Racing for 2025, potentially alongside Max Verstappen.
• Racing Bulls Candidates: Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad has been linked to a Racing Bulls contract. The remaining seat could go to Tsunoda or Liam Lawson, or another emerging rookie.
• Chadwick's Insight: On the Sky Sports F1 Show, Jamie Chadwick stated, "They are constantly looking to try and find the next Max Verstappen... They want to find drivers that are these kind of superstars in Formula 1."
  • She suggests that if Racing Bulls retains its current lineup, it signals an acceptance that those drivers won't match Verstappen's pace or come within a tenth of his performance, which Red Bull fundamentally requires.
• The Hadjar Question: While Hadjar's performance in the Racing Bulls is known, his potential in a Red Bull Racing car remains untested. If he performs well, it validates Red Bull's strategy of continually bringing in young talent.

Looking Ahead:

Red Bull's junior program remains a crucial pipeline, and these potential changes at Racing Bulls reflect a strategic decision to gamble on new talent in the hope of unearthing a generational driver. The focus is squarely on developing future F1 champions.

• This approach means a high turnover of drivers at Racing Bulls, as they serve as a testing ground for potential Red Bull Racing candidates.
• The success of this strategy hinges on whether new recruits can step up and prove they possess the 'superstar' quality Red Bull is so desperately seeking to compete at the very top of Formula 1.

Between the lines:

This isn't just about finding a driver; it's about finding the driver. Red Bull's ultimate goal is to replicate the success of the Verstappen era, and they're willing to make bold changes in their junior team to achieve it. The pressure is on for any new Racing Bulls driver to show genuine championship potential from day one.