Overview
- Max Verstappen remains the only confirmed Red Bull driver for 2026 after a decision initially signalled for post‑Mexico was pushed back, with Liam Lawson saying he expects clarity near or at season’s end.
- Red Bull figures have framed the postponement as a deliberate move to keep focus on the group’s bids for second with Red Bull Racing and sixth with Racing Bulls in the constructors’ standings.
- Current reporting suggests Isack Hadjar could be promoted to partner Verstappen and Arvid Lindblad could step up to Racing Bulls, leaving Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in contention for one remaining Racing Bulls seat.
- Lawson has strengthened his case in his first full F1 season with six points finishes and 36 points, highlighted by a career‑best fifth place and third on the grid in Baku.
- Tsunoda’s recent run included a difficult Las Vegas weekend after a tyre‑pressure error forced a pit‑lane start, with the Japanese driver classified 12th after late disqualifications ahead.