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Red Bull face tough 2026 choice as Hadjar, Tsunoda, Lawson and Albon all emerge

Originally posted on HITC | By Ben Evans | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 10:15 AM ET

Red Bull Racing’s focus for the Italian Grand Prix will be squarely on track matters, with team principal Laurent Mekies keen to avoid any distractions.

But off-track discussions haven’t slowed down. The main topic has been who will take the second Red Bull seat for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Tsunoda’s familiarity with the team would provide some stability during a period of big changes, with new regulations coming in next year.

Liam Lawson isn’t completely out of the picture either. There’s a case to be made that if he isn’t seriously being considered for a return to Red Bull, then maybe he shouldn’t be with Racing Bulls at all.

Isack Hadjar has emerged as a strong candidate for that seat. His impressive podium at Zandvoort only strengthened his case further.

But not everyone is sold on Hadjar just yet. Dutch driver and pundit Mike Hezemans believes Red Bull should look elsewhere and even suggests they try to bring in an experienced name already on the grid to partner Max Verstappen in 2026.

Concerns over Hadjar’s feedback lead to calls for Albon at Red Bull

Speaking to RacingNews365, Hezemans explained: “I spoke to someone from Racing Bulls in Miami. He told me that he is very open-minded, but his feedback is not quite what it should be yet.

“I don’t know how they do it at Racing Bulls; maybe Lawson is good at it. But he doesn’t really know yet.

“It’s as if he’s karting. He’s relaxed, thinks it’s all fine, but his feedback still leaves a little to be desired.

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“Alex Albon is just a super good driver. He would be better alongside Max Verstappen than perhaps Hadjar.

Hezemans added one caveat about Albon: “If you really put him under pressure, for example, when there’s a fast driver next to him, he starts complaining more on the radio.

“I think he gets a bit nervous then. You saw that last year when Colapinto came and blocked his car a few times.”

Red Bull’s recent history with driver decisions under Christian Horner has been questionable

Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies is hoping the focus stays on racing ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

Red Bull still haven’t made a decision on who will take the second seat for the 2026 season, and rumours have only increased as time goes on.

The simple choice would be to stick with Yuki Tsunoda, even though his form hasn’t picked up since he joined from Racing Bulls at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

Sticking with Tsunoda would offer some consistency going into what will be a winter of major changes across Formula 1. New regulations are coming into play next year, so keeping him might bring some needed stability to Red Bull’s lineup.

Liam Lawson returning to Red Bull hasn’t been completely ruled out, and there’s an argument that if he’s never going to be in contention to return, that he shouldn’t even be driving for Racing Bulls.

Isack Hadjar looks like Red Bull’s top pick to take over from Tsunoda after this season ends. His impressive podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix has only added weight to the growing talk of a possible promotion in 2026.

Alex Albon vs Isack Hadjar: Feedback questions

Speaking about Isack Hadjar’s potential move up, Hezemans told RacingNews365: “I spoke to someone from Racing Bulls in Miami. He told me that he is very open-minded, but his feedback is not quite what it should be yet.”

The question was then put back onto why Alex Albon over Isack Hadjar should get the Red Bull spot next season and answered: “Alex Albon is just a super good driver. He would be better alongside Max Verstappen than perhaps Hadjar.”

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

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