Red Bull refutes connection to Palou as the '26 race intensifies.

      As Tsunoda needs to demonstrate more capability, Red Bull has attempted to dismiss the speculation surrounding Indycar champion Alex Palou potentially joining Max Verstappen for the upcoming season. “That’s not true,” stated Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s veteran motorsport advisor, when questioned about such rumors in Kleine Zeitung.

      Palou, 28, a four-time Indycar champion, has excelled this season with Chip Ganassi Racing. However, he, along with his management and Ganassi, has denied any recent discussions regarding Formula 1. In reality, the competition to pair with Verstappen in 2026 seems to be a direct contest between current driver Yuki Tsunoda and emerging talent Isack Hadjar.

      Hadjar, who made his F1 debut with Racing Bulls this year, acknowledged at Zandvoort that he is unaware of Red Bull’s plans. “To be honest, it’s nothing really new to me,” commented the French driver. “The path to F1 was quite uncertain as well, so I’m accustomed to not really knowing what my next step will be. I focus on the present and give my best. So, I’m not worried; I’m just focused.”

      Marko recognized Hadjar’s impressive performance, stating, “He has surprised us positively.” Another contender is the 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad, who recently obtained his FIA super license. “Lindblad is doing just fine,” Marko noted. “We’re on track with his progress. He is fully engaged and will have several more outings with us this year.”

      Tsunoda, for his part, maintains that he remains in contention, despite a challenging season since stepping in for the similarly underperforming Liam Lawson. “I definitely need to show more,” admitted the Japanese racer. He suggested that the performance gap was partly due to Verstappen receiving upgraded parts sooner. “I think they, and especially Helmut, didn’t realize how significant the speed difference was between Max’s setup and mine. Once I received the new parts, my speed improved dramatically.”

      Regarding his future, the Honda-backed Tsunoda mentioned, “We’ve agreed on when we seek clarity. I need to prove my speed so they can decide on the type of contract they wish to offer for next year.”

      Nonetheless, Palou continues to garner praise from Formula 1's top drivers, even as the rumors wane. “I’ve known Alex since our karting days, and what he’s achieving in Indycar is remarkable,” Verstappen commented. “It’s truly impressive, but it’s impossible to predict how someone will fare in F1, just as it’s uncertain how one would perform in IndyCar.”

      His fellow Spaniard, Fernando Alonso, concurred, stating, “He’s talented and adapts quickly. I’m certain he could manage Formula 1, and I’d be thrilled for him if he gets the opportunity. If anyone seeks advice, they can always send an email,” he quipped.

      Carlos Sainz from Ferrari added, “I can only observe what he does on track, and it’s an extraordinary performance. Formula 1 is a different challenge—predicting how he will fare is impossible. However, what he’s accomplishing is incredible.”