Marko establishes a year-end deadline for the 2026 Red Bull lineups.
"That’s why we are eager to see more races."
18 September 2025 - 10:15
Dr. Helmut Marko has stated that Red Bull aims to finalize its driver line-up for 2026 by the end of this year. "We want to have a plan in place following the Mexico race," the 82-year-old F1 advisor for the renowned energy drink brand told RTL. "The end of the year is our absolute deadline."
The most probable outcome involves Isack Hadjar moving up to take Yuki Tsunoda’s place alongside Max Verstappen, with teenager Arvid Lindblad stepping into Formula 1 and joining Racing Bulls next to Liam Lawson. However, Marko insists no decisions have been made yet. "We want to monitor the performance of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson to ensure we make the best choices for next year," he explained.
Hadjar's position within the Red Bull framework is already secure. "We have a continuing contract with him that spans several years. We’ve already prepared for that," Marko stressed. When asked if the French rookie could remain as Verstappen’s teammate, he replied: "That’s why we want to see more races. So far, he’s been performing quite well. The last race was somewhat disappointing, but despite starting from the pit lane, he still finished tenth in Monza."
Marko particularly commended Hadjar’s ability to adapt quickly. "Within two or three laps, he’s in sync," he smiled. "Mentally, he should be able to compete with Max."
At the same time, the Austrian couldn't resist making a remark about Mercedes, where George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are still unconfirmed for 2026. "They’re certainly not waiting for Max anymore. And I’m not aware of anyone else who could be viewed as the team leader," Marko noted, implying that ongoing negotiations regarding Russell's new contract may be the cause of the delay. "I believe these are discussions concerning salary, especially since Russell has been kept waiting for quite a while," he speculated. "Perhaps this indecision is retribution for not having made an official choice yet."
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