Marko states that a decision regarding the Red Bull driver is forthcoming.

      Dr. Helmut Marko has stated that Red Bull will disclose its 2026 driver lineup "after the Grand Prix," with the teenage talent Arvid Lindblad almost certain to join the Racing Bulls team. The 18-year-old showcased his skills on Friday in Mexico, stepping into Max Verstappen's car for FP1 and even outpacing Yuki Tsunoda. "That certainly wasn’t pleasant for Tsunoda," Marko acknowledged to Kleine Zeitung.

      Marko commended Lindblad for maintaining his composure under pressure. "He remained calm, even with everyone warning him about the risk of damaging the car - we only had one underbody," he noted. "He was instructed not to scratch it, yet he was still the fastest rookie."

      Lindblad now looks poised to secure a full-time position with Racing Bulls in 2026, taking Isack Hadjar’s spot, who is anticipated to move up to Red Bull Racing. This outcome leaves Tsunoda and Liam Lawson competing for the last available seat. "We will evaluate everything post-Grand Prix and then make our announcement," Marko confirmed on Saturday in Mexico.

      Tsunoda's recent inconsistency, despite showing some improvement, seems to be affecting his chances. "Tsunoda fell out of the running in the second session, finishing 11th," Marko remarked after qualifying. "He’s gradually making strides - his results are improving - but he consistently qualifies further behind than his race placements. He needs to work on that."

      Former team driver Sergio Perez, who is attending his home race before his 2026 return with Cadillac, expressed that he is not surprised by the struggles Tsunoda and Lawson are facing within the main Red Bull team. "Once the separation from Red Bull was finalized, I knew that the poor guy joining Red Bull Racing would face significant challenges - as I barely managed to survive in a tough environment," Perez told reporters in Mexico.

      The Mexican elaborated that being a teammate of Verstappen presents a unique challenge. "Driving alongside Max is incredibly demanding. Most people don’t get that," he said. "I could share a lot about it, but simply put - no driver can compete with Max. Whether it’s Hamilton or Leclerc in the car, they’d all struggle."

      Perez emphasized that much of the challenge comes from Verstappen’s specific setup preferences. Similar to Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, Verstappen excels with a car that provides maximum front-end feedback, even if it compromises rear stability. "You must adapt to Max’s driving style," Perez explained. "It’s not that the car is difficult to drive, but its balance is quite unique. If you don’t drive it the way he does, you’ll be lost. There are many aspects that outsiders overlook. It’s about more than just speed - it’s also about managing the pressure and expectations. It’s really challenging. That’s why I say, no driver can just show up at Red Bull and expect everything to function seamlessly."