Red Bull know Max Verstappen’s possible next teammate despite Yuki Tsunoda doing ‘exactly’ what Christian Horner wants

Red Bull have already changed their driver line-up once this year after Yuki Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson, but who partners Max Verstappen for 2026 remains unclear.

The Milton Keynes squad made the ruthless decision to demote Lawson back to Racing Bulls after just two rounds in March. Red Bull even pulled a rapid U-turn on their decision to snub Tsunoda and promote Lawson in December with the Japanese star moved over from Faenza.

Red Bull initially took Lawson to replace Sergio Perez as Helmut Marko questioned Tsunoda’s mental capacity to partner Verstappen. He believed the Kiwi would handle being teammates with the four-time champion, but Red Bull became frustrated with Lawson’s lack of progress.

Tsunoda has arguably since justified Red Bull’s decision to demote Lawson after failing to get to grips with their tricky RB21. The 24-year-old has gained a basic understanding of the car, taken points once and made Q3 twice in three rounds – all feats that Lawson did not realise.

Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar is a ‘candidate’ to replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull

Yet despite Tsunoda scoring his first points with Red Bull in Bahrain with P9, whilst qualifying P10 in Sakhir and P8 in Saudi Arabia, he has an uncertain future beside Verstappen. Red Bull gave Tsunoda a contract for just the rest of the 2025 F1 season on his rise from Racing Bulls.

And, according to Motorsport.com, rookie sensation Isack Hadjar has emerged as a ‘possible next contender’ to be Verstappen’s teammate in 2026 if Red Bull decide to replace Tsunoda. The 20-year-old is outperforming Lawson, who is failing to prove his demotion was an error.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

Another change in Milton Keynes is even possible despite Tsunoda doing ‘exactly’ what Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Marko want. They have tasked the Kanagawa native with offering Verstappen any help to win the F1 drivers’ championship.

Yuki Tsunoda is doing ‘exactly’ what Red Bull want helping Max Verstappen’s title bid

Horner and Marko saw the Honda academy product prove his team player goal last time out as Tsunoda gave Verstappen a vital tow in qualifying in Saudi Arabia. The Dutchman edged McLaren rival Oscar Piastri for pole in Jeddah by 0.010s after a tow gifted him nearly 0.050s.

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

Yet Tsunoda has been 0.498s, 0.880s and 0.910s slower than Verstappen in qualifying amid the same sessions so far. So, Red Bull have not ruled out promoting Hadjar from Racing Bulls in 2026 after impressing during the early rounds of his rookie campaign for their sister team.

Even Lewis Hamilton names Hadjar as his ‘favourite’ 2025 F1 rookie after seeing the Parisian bounce back brilliantly since crashing on the formation lap for his F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix. Hadjar scored his first points in F1 with P8 in Japan and with P10 in Saudi Arabia.