Racing Bulls could once again be the last team to finalise their F1 driver line-up for the season ahead. They are one of only three with unconfirmed seats.
Last season, Racing Bulls had to wait until mid-December before confirming that Isack Hadjar would partner Yuki Tsunoda. Liam Lawson was called up to Red Bull as an unplanned replacement for Sergio Perez.
Lawson was back at the Faenza-based team by round three after a disastrous start, with Tsunoda finally given his chance. But Red Bull are undecided as to whether to keep the Japanese driver for next year.
Because the two line-ups are directly linked, Alan Permane is waiting for Red Bull’s decision before he can lock in his own partnership. Alpine are the only other team still in the market, but they’ve confirmed they’re only looking at internal options.
Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson reunion at Racing Bulls is possible
The expectation up to this point has been that Arvid Lindblad will join Racing Bulls next year, stepping up from Formula 2. With Isack Hadjar widely tipped to race for Red Bull, that left Tsunoda and Lawson battling for the one remaining seat.
But no firm decisions have been made, and both of Max Verstappen’s 2025 teammates have made progress in recent races. Lawson has scored 26 points in the last seven rounds, having only scored four in the first 10.
He finished a season-high P5 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Tsunoda only one place behind. Having also qualified on the third row, this was the Japanese driver’s most complete weekend for Red Bull.
Lindblad remains likely to join, but The Race report that he could yet remain in Formula 2, which would see Lawson and Tsunoda reform their partnership from last autumn.
“When Red Bull began leaning towards putting Lindblad at Racing Bulls in 2026, both Tsunoda and Lawson were struggling,” said Matt Beer.
“If both now turn a corner, it’s not impossible that Red Bull could decide to stick with them both after all, and keep Lindblad in F2 for another year, but Lawson and Tsunoda can’t count on that and are better off assuming this is a ‘two-into-one-won’t-go’ [situation] for now.”
How is Arvid Lindblad getting on in Formula 2?
Lindblad is seventh in the F2 standings after last weekend’s races in Baku. He’s actually a spot behind leading Red Bull junior Pepe Marti, but this is his first year in the series.
Juan Pablo Montoya doesn’t think Lindblad is ready for F1. Montoya has watched the Briton closely because his son, Sebastian, also races in the series.
A recent report revealed that Red Bull also have doubts about Lindblad for the moment. While they’re very excited about the teenager, some feel he’d benefit from another season of preparation.
There may be an argument to stick with Tsunoda and Lawson, two drivers who have proven they can shine at Racing Bulls. Equally, though, Helmut Marko may see little benefit in retaining a duo who have both struggled at the top team.