Laurent Mekies now ‘apprehensive’ about repeating Christian Horner error with Red Bull driver line-up

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Red Bull are deliberately delaying their decision on their 2026 Formula 1 driver line-up. Yuki Tsunoda is trying to fend off competition from Isack Hadjar to remain alongside Max Verstappen.

But Tsunoda’s results are only weakening his case. He was 13th in the championship when he joined Red Bull after the first two races, but has fallen to 19th after scoring just nine points since.

Meanwhile, Hadjar has arguably been F1’s standout rookie at Racing Bulls. A magnificent podium at the Dutch Grand Prix accounts for 15 of his 38 points, which puts him ninth in the standings.

The future of Hadjar’s teammate, Liam Lawson, is still unknown. Lawson’s form picked up prior to the summer break, but his brutal failure at Red Bull has caused lasting damage to his stock within the team.

Laurent Mekies is wary of letting talented drivers leave Red Bull

According to ESPN, Red Bull haven’t yet made up their minds on their 2026 pairing. A recent report claimed Hadjar will receive a promotion, but the team are still evaluating.

‘Sources’ say that a decision could be made around the United States and Mexican Grands Prix, which take place in the second half of October. There are still four rounds remaining after that double header.

• READ MORE: Pierre Gasly reveals what he’s told Yuki Tsunoda to ‘figure out’ as Red Bull plight persists

Red Bull have seen Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, two drivers they let go, grow in stature elsewhere. Race-winner Gasly has scored all 20 of Alpine’s points this season and earned a new long-term deal, while Albon, seventh in the championship, has been one of the best pound-for-pound performers of the 2025 season.

Laurent Mekies is ‘apprehensive’ about repeating the Christian Horner-era mistake of giving up on talented drivers too soon. The average age among Hadjar, Lawson and Tsunoda is just 22.6.

Why Red Bull have doubts about promoting Arvid Lindblad from Formula 2

Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad is exerting external pressure. Lindblad is seen as a likely signing for Racing Bulls, which means either Lawson or Tsunoda would be guaranteed to lose their spot in the roster.

However, ESPN’s report also says that there is ‘scepticism within the company’ over whether Lindblad should move straight to F1. Lindblad only turned 18 in August and could benefit from a second year in F2, just as Hadjar did.

Indeed, the Frenchman was only mid-table in his first season (14th) but finished as the runner-up behind Gabriel Bortoleto last term. He was unquestionably F1-ready when he did step up.

Lindblad’s Campos team have just promoted another Red Bull junior – Nikola Tsolov – from F3 for 2026. That suggests, but doesn’t guarantee, that the Briton is F1-bound.