Christian Horner hails Yuki Tsunoda’s potential Red Bull replacement who has ‘exceeded all our expectations’

Yuki Tsunoda will contest his fourth round with Red Bull at the Miami Grand Prix, but may not have a long-term future with a rival driver really impressing Christian Horner.

The Milton Keynes crew made a surprise move after just the first two rounds of the 2025 F1 season to demote Liam Lawson for Tsunoda. Red Bull took advantage of being in the unique position of having two teams and four full-time drivers under their control with Racing Bulls.

But Tsunoda only has a contract with Red Bull for the rest of this season, so he could be cast into the F1 driver market should team principal Horner opt to shop around. The 24-year-old has shown Red Bull were right to drop Lawson, yet his form is not yet at the level they need.

Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has ‘exceeded’ Red Bull and Christian Horner’s expectations

Tsunoda scored his first points with Red Bull in Bahrain after he even reached Q3 for the first time in the Japanese star’s second outing for the team. But he is so far still to add to the two points earned in Sakhir having crashed on the first lap in Saudi Arabia after making Q3 again.

So, options are already emerging for the 2026 season and Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar is a candidate to replace Tsunoda at Red Bull. The 20-year-old has often outshone Lawson for Racing Bulls since becoming teammates and may get a quick promotion if his form persists.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

Hadjar has even ‘exceeded’ the expectations Horner and the Red Bull hierarchy held for the Frenchman when they promoted their driver academy product to F1. The Parisian has scored five of Racing Bulls’ eight points this year with his P8 and P10 from Japan and Saudi Arabia.

“He’s exceeded all our expectations,” Horner told Sky Sports. “He’s looked very impressive so far this season, particularly on tracks he’s not been to.”

Isack Hadjar continues to earn praise following his rookie results with Racing Bulls

Horner is far from alone in being impressed by the results that Hadjar has enjoyed during his first five rounds as a Formula 1 driver ahead of the Miami GP. The 2024 Formula 2 runner-up has blown many pundits away, especially with how he recovered from crashing in Australia.

Even Lewis Hamilton names Hadjar as his ‘favourite’ 2025 F1 rookie after seeing how the 20-year-old bounced back from crashing on the formation lap at his debut race. Hadjar crashed on the formation lap for the Australian Grand Prix after spinning amid the rain at just Turn 2.

But since Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko called Hadjar ‘embarrassing’ for crying in Australia, the rookie has delivered at Racing Bulls. Hadjar’s rookie results have ‘surprised’ Damon Hill after making Q3 for the first time in round three when he qualified P7 at Suzuka.