Max Verstappen has confirmed that he will race for Red Bull in 2026 after weeks of speculation that he could be on the move.
Mercedes have been heavily linked with Verstappen in 2025, with various reports suggesting when he could make the move to the Silver Arrows. However, after the Belgian GP, Verstappen’s get-out clauses in his contract cannot be activated for 2026.
Verstappen has a deal with Red Bull until 2028, but that does not prevent him from leaving the team before then. Mercedes and Toto Wolff’s interest in the Dutchman will certainly still be there as the 2026 F1 regulations come into effect.
Now that Red Bull seemingly have Verstappen’s commitment for next season, they have the issue of the second seat. Yuki Tsunoda is desperately struggling in the RB21, having scored only seven points since replacing Liam Lawson two races into 2025.
Tsunoda and Racing Bulls pair Lawson and Isack Hadjar are all out of contract in 2025. It has left fans guessing as to who will take the second Red Bull seat next to Verstappen in 2026.
Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty ImagesF1 fans predict Isack Hadjar will be Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate in 2026
The general feeling is that Hadjar will replace Tsunoda at Red Bull next season. The Frenchman has been hugely impressive in his rookie F1 season, with regular Q3 appearances and points finishes making him one of the standout performers in 2025.
Several fans on Reddit believe that the Racing Bulls star will earn his promotion to the main team next year, while Tsunoda faces the prospect of losing his place in F1 entirely.
“I think Hadjar is showing so much promise that you have to put him there but they have to commit to him for at least a couple of years. Throwing drivers in the deep end and switching out during a season doesn’t help anyone,” said one fan.
“Feel like they will switch out Yuki for Hadjar or Lawson,” said another. “It clearly hasn’t worked with Yuki and it’s definitely the car. But new regs, new car, so they might chance a new driver in the second seat.
TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacN/AN/AFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN/AN/ARacing BullsN/AN/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers
“Feel bad for Yuki because if that happens, he drops out from F1 altogether. But there’s so much talent knocking on the door.”
One user wrote: “I reckon they’ll do like they did with Lawson. He’ll have a couple races to see how far off Max he is, and if it’s too far, they’ll put Hadjar in and demote Yuki back to RB.
“Well, let’s just hope that the 26 car doesn’t have these obvious fundamental design flaws. It’d be great if all teams’ 26 cars were competitive and the races were more like Indycar where literally anyone could win, it would be so much more exciting!”
“Another said: “I wonder if Yuki will become a test driver for another team and try to re-enter F1?”
“Hadjar to Red Bull. Lindblad to Racing Bulls,” said one fan, while another echoed: “Tsunoda will leave the sport next year, Hadjar to Red Bull, a newcomer from F2 to RB…?”
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Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhat Yuki Tsunoda must do to save his F1 career
If Tsunoda is to be dropped by Red Bull, he will likely leave the team’s setup entirely next season. Arvid Lindblad ‘truly believes’ he will race for Racing Bulls in 2026, with the likes of Helmut Marko holding him in high regard.
Cadillac could be an option for Tsunoda, with his agent having spoken to the team. However, with several other experienced candidates in the running, his chances of joining for 2026 may be slim, with Tsunoda reportedly having an ‘almost 0%’ chance of staying on the grid.
The arrival of Laurent Mekies could be critical for Tsunoda to stay in F1, as the Frenchman knows his talent and trusts him from his time at Racing Bulls. Red Bull fans have begged Mekies to help Tsunoda, and he is already setting out to do just that.
Despite finishing a miserable 17th after another Q1 elimination, Tsunoda was closer to Verstappen than ever before. It is an encouraging sign to take into the summer break, but Red Bull will want to see points on the board as they fight for second in the constructors’ championship.