Both Red Bull teams have several contracts to distribute before 2026. In fact, only Max Verstappen is confirmed for the upcoming Formula 1 season. Particularly at sister team Racing Bulls, they are keeping their options open. Reportedly, Isack Hadjar will move up to Red Bull next year, with Formula 2 talent Arvid Lindblad racing alongside Liam Lawson. However, the New Zealander could also be replaced by a surprising junior.
Red Bull’s top advisor, Helmut Marko, is said to have already held talks with the management of Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne. The McLaren talent made his debut in the premier class during a free practice session in Austria this year. The 19-year-old Irishman impressed with the fourth time, just behind temporary teammate Oscar Piastri. He was called up again for some practice laps in Monza, although he didn’t drive any fast laps there. According to PlanetF1, Marko has since had multiple meetings with Dunne and his representatives.
Former driver Ralf Schumacher sees a collaboration between Dunne and Racing Bulls happening, despite the fact that the Irishman is part of the McLaren program. “Before Baku, I would have said that neither Tsunoda nor Lawson would be there next season,” said the German in the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. “There are plenty of opportunities for young drivers; Hadjar could go to Red Bull, after which Alex Dunne and Arvid Lindblad could debut at Racing Bulls. That would be very possible. But expectations at Racing Bulls have also risen now that the team is achieving such good results.”
“The Italian racing stable has long been seen as a training ground for the main Red Bull team, but now that it is also competing for podium positions, this relationship is shifting. “That’s why it would be unfair if they didn’t retain drivers with Formula 1 experience,” Schumacher explained. “Yuki Tsunoda can really drive and did very well at Racing Bulls. The sharpness of the Red Bull just doesn’t suit him – even Max Verstappen sometimes struggles with it. But in Baku, they both performed well, despite a thirty-second gap between them. At this moment, I think Hadjar will definitely get a Red Bull seat in 2026,” Schumacher concluded. “But if Tsunoda becomes more one with the car, that’s still an option.”
