Red Bull Racing appears set to execute a ruthless restructuring of its lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season, with reports suggesting the team has already decided which driver will be discarded. While Max Verstappen continues to headline the outfit’s ambitions—securing his 66th career triumph at Monza and currently ranking third in the drivers’ standings—the team itself languishes in fourth place, spurring management to initiate sweeping changes as new regulations loom.
At the core of this transformation is the expected elevation of 20-year-old Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls to the senior Red Bull seat. The French prodigy has impressed with consistent performances and even secured a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, quickly marking himself as a standout among the next generation. Alongside Hadjar, the highly-rated Anglo-Swede Arvid Lindblad, just 18, is tipped to be handed his Formula 1 debut in a Racing Bulls cockpit following a promising Formula 2 campaign.
These incoming talents inevitably spell trouble for Red Bull’s existing contingent. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who exchanged seats only two races into the 2025 season, have collectively amassed a paltry 32 points, a tally far beneath expectations. According to reports from GPBlog, Tsunoda’s expiring contract will not be renewed, effectively ending his tenure under the Red Bull umbrella. Despite long-standing backing from Honda, the Japanese manufacturer’s impending switch to Aston Martin in 2026 leaves Tsunoda without a natural landing spot, making his future precarious.
Meanwhile, Verstappen himself has reaffirmed his loyalty to Red Bull amidst speculative links to Mercedes and Ferrari. Central to the Dutchman’s commitment is his involvement in shaping the team’s future machinery, working extensively with Ford on the 2026 engine project. Far beyond his duties in the cockpit, Verstappen has embedded himself in the technical side—engaging with simulators, engineers, and aerodynamicists to maximize power and downforce for the forthcoming regulatory era.
Team principal Laurent Mekies has emphasized just how integral Verstappen has become to Red Bull’s operations, underscoring his influence not only as a driver but as a developmental architect. The Dutchman’s insistence on perfection, combined with his hands-on contribution, reflects Red Bull’s determination to return to the summit of Formula 1. Yet as Verstappen shapes the future, Lawson and Tsunoda’s fates serve as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Red Bull’s system—where only excellence guarantees survival.
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