Tsunoda's comeback prompts Marko to reconsider the decision for 2026.

      "Let's examine how far we can make a decision at this point."

      Yuki Tsunoda's impressive weekend in Austin might have come just in time to secure his position in Formula 1, as Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko now seems to be postponing a decision regarding who will partner Max Verstappen in 2026. Marko had earlier stated that a decision would be made following next weekend's Mexican GP. However, after Tsunoda's strong performance in Austin and a lackluster showing from Isack Hadjar, Marko appeared less certain.

      "That’s not our priority right now," Marko told Sky Deutschland when asked about the decision timeline. "Generally, that’s the plan. Let’s see how far we can decide then."

      Marko was seen smiling and conversing with Tsunoda as Red Bull celebrated Verstappen’s latest victory and renewed title challenge. He went on to commend the Japanese driver's performance and consistency.

      "He got off to a great start and was competitive when he had a clear path," Marko remarked. "There’s a positive trend there. He’s stabilizing, which is crucial in the World Championship battle."

      Tsunoda, after beginning in 13th place, ascended to seventh in Sunday’s United States GP—his best result since the summer—and also earned points in the sprint, totaling eight points for the weekend.

      "My pace was really good," Tsunoda commented. "I managed to gain a few positions early on, and my overall speed was satisfactory. I could have done slightly better in the second stint; I think I played it a bit too cautiously. However, it’s great to score points in both races this weekend. We need to keep this momentum going."

      When asked if the results were vital for retaining his seat, Tsunoda responded without hesitation. "Yes, it’s definitely significant because that’s what I need to do," he said. "It’s also crucial to fight for improvement in the constructors’ championship. The team hasn't given up - and of course, we haven’t given up on Max’s championship either.

      "Especially now, we need to focus on enhancing our short runs. I don’t believe we can attack like that on the first lap every time, so our primary objective now is to start further up and compete with the top teams."

      In contrast, his main competitor for the 2026 seat had a disappointing weekend. Hadjar, often viewed as the leading candidate to replace Tsunoda, finished 16th in Austin and expressed frustration over his lack of pace.

      "It was somewhat like the race I anticipated starting from the back," he told Canal Plus. "Starting 20th, if nothing happens up front, there are no miracles.

      "We’ve had some challenging weekends this season—a particularly tough spell before the summer break—but I returned stronger. I hope we’ll have figured some things out by the time we get to Mexico."

      Hadjar recently mentioned that it would be "painful" to miss the Red Bull seat for 2026 and even proposed that Marko consider an early driver change before the year concludes.