Overview

• Marko told RTL and sport.de that year-end is the last possible date and that he wants a guideline shortly after the Mexico Grand Prix, with performances assessed through late October.
• Red Bull says no decision has been made and, per team boss Laurent Mekies in Baku, the team feels no time pressure as contracted drivers are given room to develop.
• Yuki Tsunoda remains under scrutiny, with just 12 points and 19th in the standings compared with Verstappen scoring 230 of Red Bull’s 239 points.
• Rookie Isack Hadjar stays in contention, backed by a multi‑year deal and Marko’s praise for his mentality, after a Zandvoort podium and 38 points for ninth overall.
• Liam Lawson is being evaluated alongside Tsunoda, and Mekies indicated any move for junior Arvid Lindblad would fall under Helmut Marko’s remit rather than Red Bull Racing’s.