Red Bull Delays 2026 F1 Driver Decisions Until Around Abu Dhabi

Red Bull has pushed back its final decisions on the 2026 driver lineup across both its teams until "around Abu Dhabi," opting to prioritize Max Verstappen's championship fight and gather more data. While initially eyeing the Mexican Grand Prix as a key reference, the team is now taking a more measured approach, giving emerging talents like Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson additional time to prove their worth.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's unique contract structure, which keeps all its drivers under a central Red Bull contract rather than specific team assignments, allows for this flexibility. This delay enables the team to fully focus on securing the current championship while also thoroughly evaluating its deep pool of talent, crucial for forming competitive lineups for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls in the future.

The Details:

• Decision Timeline Shift: Helmut Marko confirmed the decision has been postponed from the Mexican Grand Prix to "around Abu Dhabi," with Laurent Mekies clarifying it will be before the final race.
• Focus on Championship: The primary reason for the delay is to maintain full concentration on Max Verstappen's ongoing championship battle.
• Driver Evaluation: The extended timeline provides more opportunities to assess the performance and progress of young drivers like Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Arvid Lindblad.
• Contract Flexibility: All Red Bull drivers are under central contracts, allowing the company to reallocate them between Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls at any point, reducing the urgency for early announcements.
• Rookie Impressions: Arvid Lindblad made a strong impression during his FP1 outing at the Mexican GP, meeting all expectations and demonstrating calmness and effective feedback while avoiding errors. He is a leading candidate for another FP1 session with Tsunoda's car.
• Emerging Frontrunners: Unofficial indications suggest Isack Hadjar is the top contender for the second Red Bull Racing seat, while Lindblad is well-positioned for a Racing Bulls drive.
• Remaining Battle: The final unresolved spot appears to be between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson for the remaining Racing Bulls seat, with the decision potentially influenced by Honda's willingness to act as a personal sponsor.

The Big Picture:

Red Bull's strategic delay underscores its commitment to nurturing its junior talent while prioritizing immediate championship goals. This approach leverages the team's unique control over its driver roster, ensuring that every decision is data-driven and aligned with both short-term success and long-term team development. The upcoming Project 678, set to be Chassis Director Loic Serra's first car since he joined Maranello in October last year, is expected to debut Ferrari's new direction.

What's next:

The delayed decision means Tsunoda and Lawson will have more time on track to demonstrate their capabilities, potentially influencing the final choice for the Racing Bulls seat. All eyes will be on the final races of the season as Red Bull monitors performance closely before making its official announcements, expected to solidify the 2026 lineups for both its Formula 1 teams.