The likes of Pierre Gasly, Daniil Kvyat and Alex Albon were never able to truly convince Helmut Marko<\/a> that they were suitable drivers for Red Bull.<\/p>\n The veteran Austrian is always looking for the next great talent, which is why last season Marko was so keen to promote Liam Lawson<\/a> when it became clear that Daniel Ricciardo was never going to rediscover his true potential.<\/p>\n This season, young driver Arvid Lindblad<\/a> has emerged as the next talent Red Bull are backing to be a Formula 1 star.<\/p>\n Speaking exclusively to F1 Oversteer, Alex Jacques suggested it\u2019s a matter of time until Lindblad is racing in F1<\/a>, and journalist Ralf Bach believes he\u2019s identified which driver Marko wants to let go to add the British teenager to their quartet of Formula 1 drivers.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko? Everything to know<\/a><\/p>\n Marko was speaking to Sky Sports Germany<\/a> after practice at the Dutch Grand Prix and said: \u201cWe have extended the options and will watch a few more races. We want to make a decision in September or October.\u201d<\/p>\n However, reporting for F1 Insider<\/a>, journalist Ralf Bach explained: \u201cIt\u2019s good for the public to say, \u2018We\u2019re still looking at it closely,\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cBut I know Helmut Marko a little bit: when he has his favourites, they are so firmly cemented that he wants to bring them into Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019ll [Lindblad] get a seat with the Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n \u201cHadjar is likely to be promoted, and then Tsunoda will have to find a new cockpit. That means, in my opinion, Verstappen will be driving with Hadjar and Lindblad at Racing Bulls next year, together with Liam Lawson.\u201d<\/p>\n Bach has no doubts that Lindblad will be in Formula 1 next year and continued: \u201cThat is Helmut Marko\u2019s goal, so someone has to go.<\/p>\n \u201cRed Bull probably does not want to keep Tsunoda, and someone has to move up so that Lindblad can get a free cockpit at Racing Bulls.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad including his parents<\/a><\/p>\n Yuki Tsunoda 2026 alternative seat emerges as Red Bull consider switch<\/p>\n Tsunoda knows that the Dutch Grand Prix<\/a> is going to be very important for setting the tone for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n Although Red Bull are unlikely to announce their drivers for next season before the end of the campaign, decisions will need to be made much earlier than that.<\/p>\n Lindblad has a few more opportunities to impress in Formula 2 this year, although his recent form hasn\u2019t been world-beating.<\/p>\n Tsunoda hasn\u2019t scored a point in his last seven races, which is far more worrying than Lindblad\u2019s tricky time racing for Campos.<\/p>\n TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN\/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacValtteri BottasSergio PerezFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN\/AN\/ARacing BullsN\/AN\/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN\/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers<\/p>\n It\u2019s been suggested that Tsunoda is being considered by Alpine for 2026<\/a>, which would see a reunion with Pierre Gasly.<\/p>\n![\"Helmut](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2217844206-1024x819.jpg\")
Photo by Mark Sutton \u2013 Formula 1\/Formula 1 via Getty ImagesHelmut Marko\u2019s \u2018goal\u2019 is for Arvid Lindblad to race in F1 in 2026, Yuki Tsunoda set to be dropped<\/p>\n