Hadjar in, Tsunoda out as the 2026 strategy is confirmed - reports.

      "I did everything I could."

      Multiple prominent media outlets now concur that Yuki Tsunoda will be replaced in his Formula 1 seat for 2026, with Isack Hadjar expected to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. Reports from the Netherlands' De Telegraaf, Germany's Bild, Sport1, and British sources indicate that this decision was largely made during high-level discussions in Qatar involving Oliver Mintzlaff, Laurent Mekies, and Dr. Helmut Marko.

      Hadjar had previously reacted positively to the rumors on Friday, but his demeanor changed after he retired from the Qatar GP on Sunday due to bodywork issues, referring to his Racing Bulls car as a "Lego car." When questioned about the upcoming announcement on Tuesday, he curtly replied: "I don’t care about that now."

      However, it is understood that the 21-year-old French driver has received approval to join Red Bull Racing, with Arvid Lindblad set to take his spot at Racing Bulls and Liam Lawson remaining with the team. Bild reports that Tsunoda will be proposed a combined reserve-driver position across both Red Bull teams for 2026, marking the end of his five-season tenure in Formula 1.

      Not all team members at Red Bull are fully convinced about Lindblad's immediate preparedness, though. "Dr. Helmut Marko, in particular, has a very positive view of him," Bild mentions, referring to 18-year-old Lindblad. "However, there are internal doubts about whether this homegrown talent has the capability to become a top driver in Formula 1."

      For Tsunoda, the Abu Dhabi race will be an emotional send-off. The Japanese driver remarked in Qatar that he believes he has been performing at his highest level in recent weeks. "I did everything I could," he stated. "Especially in the last four races, the team supported me greatly, allowing me to drive a car that was almost like Max’s. I demonstrated a lot. With an identical car, I was consistently within two or three tenths. In Las Vegas, I was always in the same group, and in Qatar, I finished ahead of him in sprint qualifying. I’m proving what I’m capable of."

      He also expressed that his primary goal now is to assist Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. "We have the speed, and I don’t think we can do much to improve our second place finish." Red Bull has chosen not to comment on the reports or the specifics surrounding Tuesday’s anticipated announcement.