Max Verstappen’s decision to stay at Red Bull could now cost ‘explosive’ driver his spot on the 2026 F1 grid

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Max Verstappen finally confirmed at the Hungarian Grand Prix just before the summer break that he would stay at Red Bull for 2026. He had been in talks with Mercedes.

This doesn’t offer any long-term guarantees. Indeed, it’s even been reported that Red Bull will allow Verstappen to leave for 2027 in exchange for receiving one last chance.

For now, new team principal Laurent Mekies will feel relieved. Having to replace a four-time world champion within weeks of arriving was an unthinkable scenario.

A Verstappen move could have injected chaos into the F1 driver market, particularly as it would have made either George Russell or Kimi Antonelli available. But his decision to stay will also have repercussions.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull chances have ‘significantly diminished’ after Max Verstappen decision

Yuki Tsunoda is setting negative records at Red Bull this year. Even Verstappen says the car is difficult to drive – and he could only drag it to ninth place in Hungary – and so there’s some sympathy within the team.

But after he fell to 18th out of 21 drivers in the championship, Tsunoda’s future is naturally in doubt. Had Verstappen left, then he might have stayed almost by default.

But according to Autosport Web, his chances have ‘significantly diminished’ now that the Dutchman has recommitted. Formula 2 ace Arvid Lindblad is ‘likely’ to join Red Bull’s F1 roster next year.

There are five drivers in the picture, and only four seats. ‘Tsunoda is the least likely to stay’, with Lindblad set to slot in at Racing Bulls and Isack Hadjar the favourite to partner Verstappen.

Juan Pablo Montoya could see Yuki Tsunoda replacing Franco Colapinto

As the report notes, Alpine and Cadillac are the only options for Tsunoda, who has an ‘explosive temperament’, if Red Bull release him at the end of his contract. Most teams already have two drivers under contract.

Tsunoda is on Cadillac’s shortlist ahead of their debut. But Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are the strong favourites as it stands.

Franco Colapinto’s future at Alpine is uncertain, and former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya thinks Tsunoda could be of interest to Flavio Briatore. However, he did point out that they signed Colapinto on a long-term loan from Williams, so they may be tempted to stand by him.

“If Tsunoda were to become free of Red Bull, he would be a very good person too,” Montoya told AS Colombia. “There could be a lot of movement.

“Suddenly, they could be happy with Franco, and they say, ‘No, let’s keep him one more year’. Remember that, theoretically, Alpine has him for five years. He’s on loan from Williams.”

While the Bottas talk has cooled, Alpine could promote Paul Aron, another of their reserve drivers, if they do drop Colapinto. The Estonian might be ahead of Tsunoda in the queue.