Red Bull’s Driver Dilemma: Who Will Fill the Seats for the 2026 F1 Season?

The 2026 Formula 1 season is just around the corner, and yet several teams are still scrambling to finalize their driver lineups. Red Bull Racing, as one of the most dominant forces in recent years, faces a particularly challenging scenario when it comes to filling their seats. With three of their four driver spots yet to be confirmed, the team finds itself in a tight race to find the right drivers who can support Max Verstappen as they look to continue their legacy of success.

Red Bull’s Current Driver Lineup

At present, Red Bull Racing has Max Verstappen locked in for the long-term future, but the other seats are still up for grabs. Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Isaac Hajar are all currently contracted until the end of the 2025 season. However, Red Bull is not one to sit back and wait for things to unfold; they’re already looking to the future, and this has set the stage for intense internal competition for those coveted spots.

The Curse of the Red Bull Second Seat

Red Bull has earned a reputation for being tough on their drivers, with little room for error. The “second seat” at Red Bull has often been seen as a stepping stone for young talent or a risk for a promising driver, as the pressure to perform is immense. The team’s history is filled with stories of talented drivers being cut loose at the first sign of underperformance.

One of the most memorable (and unfortunate) examples came this season with Liam Lawson. Lawson was promoted to the Red Bull Racing seat for a brief spell in 2025 but was replaced after just two races. While the team’s decision was harsh, Lawson himself pointed out that the setup changes made before his departure may have been part of the reason he couldn’t perform at his best. Despite his brief stint, Lawson remains a part of the Red Bull program, racing for their sister team, AlphaTauri (now rebranded as Racing Bulls).

Meanwhile, Tsunoda, despite showing occasional flashes of brilliance, has struggled to consistently meet Red Bull’s high expectations. In 2025, he has only secured a handful of points finishes, and his recent performance in Italy was marred by a racing incident with none other than his teammate, Liam Lawson. The incident left Tsunoda frustrated, as he was on track to finish in the points before contact with Lawson severely damaged his car. Although Tsunoda remains an important figure within Red Bull’s junior program, his future remains uncertain.

The Case for Isaac Hajar

Amid the drama surrounding Tsunoda and Lawson, one name stands out as a possible savior for Red Bull: Isaac Hajar. The 20-year-old French driver has impressed in his performances for Red Bull’s junior team, AlphaTauri, and many in the F1 world believe that he is poised to make the jump to the senior Red Bull team for the 2026 season. Hajar’s consistent performances have made him a strong candidate for promotion, and he is currently being widely discussed as the most likely driver to secure the second seat next to Verstappen in 2026.

Hajar’s rise through the junior ranks has been nothing short of impressive. He has shown great consistency in Formula 2, where his performances have caught the attention of Red Bull’s motorsport director, Helmut Marko. His ability to adapt and perform under pressure makes him a valuable asset, and his transition to F1 seems like a natural next step.

The Rising Star: Arvid Lindblad

As if the competition wasn’t tough enough, Red Bull may have another rising star in their ranks: Arvid Lindblad. The 18-year-old Brit has made waves in the junior formulae, earning recognition for his impressive performances in Formula 4 and Formula 3. Lindblad’s rapid rise through the ranks culminated in a standout performance at Silverstone in Formula 3, where he became the youngest winner in the series’ history. He has since moved up to Formula 2, where he has continued to impress.

Lindblad’s impressive career in the junior categories has sparked rumors that Red Bull is eyeing him for an F1 seat as early as 2026. While Lindblad’s rapid ascent is promising, there are questions about whether he is ready for the leap to F1 just yet. He’s only 18 and has only one season in Formula 2 under his belt, but his potential has caught the eye of Red Bull’s senior management.

That said, Lindblad’s promotion to F1, while possible, may come too soon. His junior career has had its ups and downs, and many pundits believe that another season in Formula 2 would serve him well before making the jump to the top tier of motorsport.

The Battle for the Racing Bulls Seat

While Red Bull’s future lineup is still uncertain, the Racing Bulls (AlphaTauri) also need a driver lineup for the 2026 season. Both Tsunoda and Lawson are likely to be involved in the fight for the second seat at AlphaTauri. However, Red Bull has shown a willingness to bring in fresh faces from the junior ranks, so it’s possible that someone like Lindblad could be given the opportunity to drive for AlphaTauri as a stepping stone to Red Bull in the future.

The battle for the second seat at AlphaTauri could hinge on the performance of these drivers in the 2025 season. Tsunoda, having been with the Red Bull program for several years, has shown flashes of talent, but his inconsistency might not be enough to keep him in the Red Bull family. Lawson, on the other hand, has proven to be a resilient driver but may struggle to secure a full-time spot in F1 due to Red Bull’s relentless search for the next big thing.

If Hajar’s promotion to the senior Red Bull team is confirmed, it’s likely that Tsunoda will remain within the Red Bull fold, possibly at AlphaTauri, for another season. Lawson’s future, however, may be less certain. While he has been a consistent performer in F1, he may find himself on the outside looking in if Red Bull decides to go in a different direction.

What Does the Future Hold for Red Bull’s Drivers?

As the 2026 F1 season rapidly approaches, Red Bull is at a crossroads in terms of their driver lineup. The team’s decision on who will join Max Verstappen at the senior Red Bull team is of paramount importance, not only for the future of the team but also for the careers of several promising drivers.

If Hajar does indeed get the nod for the second seat at Red Bull, it will signal the end of Tsunoda’s time in the senior team, but he may still have a place at AlphaTauri. Lawson, too, may have a future at the sister team, though his chances of staying in F1 are less certain.

On the other hand, if Red Bull decides to promote Arvid Lindblad sooner than expected, the entire dynamic could shift. Lindblad, while still a raw talent, has shown immense potential, and Red Bull has never been afraid to take risks on young drivers.

One thing is certain: the 2026 driver market is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and competitive in recent years, with Red Bull’s decision to promote or demote its drivers carrying significant weight for the future of the team and the careers of its drivers. The clock is ticking, and it won’t be long before we know who will be in the cockpit for Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri in the 2026 season.

Conclusion

The 2026 Formula 1 season is a critical one for Red Bull, and their driver lineup is one of the key storylines that will unfold in the coming months. With Max Verstappen locked in for the long term, the battle for the second seat at Red Bull and the seats at AlphaTauri will be one of the most closely watched narratives of the upcoming season.

Isaac Hajar’s rise through the ranks has positioned him as the frontrunner for the senior Red Bull seat, but with competition from Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and potentially Arvid Lindblad, the decision is far from settled. The coming months will be critical in shaping the future of Red Bull Racing, and the drivers who emerge victorious will play a key role in the team’s future success. For fans, this is one of the most exciting driver battles in recent memory—watch this space.