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Laurent Mekies has early favourite as Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda vie for Racing Bulls seat

Originally posted on HITC | By David Comerford | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 12:09 PM ET

Red Bull are expected to promote Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen’s teammate for 2026, a move that would leave Yuki Tsunoda on the outside looking in after years of chasing that seat.

At the same time, Arvid Lindblad is reportedly set for a step up to Racing Bulls. With three spots effectively filled, it leaves just one remaining seat up for grabs between Tsunoda and Liam Lawson.

That report comes from Auto Motor und Sport, with the final decision expected later in the year. Despite what looks like a backward move, the Japanese driver appears open to returning to Racing Bulls if it keeps him on the grid.

Lawson only made it two races into the 2025 season before Red Bull sent him back to Faenza. The same thing happened to Pierre Gasly during the 2019 campaign.

Why Yuki Tsunoda holds the advantage over Liam Lawson for Racing Bulls seat

Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

Even though the numbers show a different story, Racing Bulls are apparently more impressed with Tsunoda than Lawson. The Kiwi driver has outscored him by 20 points to 12, despite driving what is statistically a slower car.

Still, Hadjar has outperformed both of them this season, leading their head-to-head battle 23-6.

According to AMuS, Tsunoda is slightly ahead of Lawson at the moment. Laurent Mekies has backed the Japanese driver after watching him beat both Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo last season.

Mekies did not confirm whether a move back to Racing Bulls is on the cards for Tsunoda when asked during the Italian Grand Prix. Still, that path has not been ruled out just yet.

The report also notes that both drivers still have time to strengthen their case, though it is obvious Mekies holds some sympathy for the 25-year-old.

Alpine could be the lifeline for Red Bull’s odd man out

AMuS has reported that the loser of this battle ‘faces expulsion’ from Formula 1. Alpine still has a seat open alongside Gasly, but timing could be an issue.

Tsunoda’s agent did not deny having discussions with Flavio Briatore regarding a possible reunion with Gasly, and there have been reports earlier this month suggesting that Lawson’s team is also interested in Alpine.

However, Paul Aron is currently viewed as the favourite to replace Franco Colapinto. Aron might even join for the final rounds of this season as part of a longer-term plan for 2026.

If neither Tsunoda nor Lawson ends up at Enstone, it only raises the stakes over the remaining eight races.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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