Red Bull have identified their ‘ideal’ 2026 driver line-up amid Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar rumours

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Red Bull Racing are facing an imminent decision about their driver line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

New team principal Laurent Mekies will be delighted that Max Verstappen has committed his future to Red Bull for at least the 2026 campaign.

However, the identity of the driver who will be alongside him is still unknown.

Red Bull have dismissed rumours linking them to Alex Palou, despite his incredible recent record in IndyCar.

It means the decision is almost certainly going to come down to two drivers: Yuki Tsunoda or Isack Hadjar.

Tsunoda is the incumbent and finally returned to the points at the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing ninth after dealing with a throttle issue at the end of the race.

However, Hadjar made headlines with his podium at Zandvoort, which has suddenly seen him thrust into the limelight and heavily linked with Tsunoda’s seat.

Hadjar is the frontrunner to replace Tsunoda if Red Bull decide to make a change for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Red Bull bosses have identified their ideal line-up for next year, but whether it will be possible to use this combination of drivers is yet to be seen.

READ MORE: Best moments of Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 career including first points, greatest Grand Prix results and funniest team radio outbursts

Red Bull’s ‘ideal scenario’ is to continue with Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda for the 2026 F1 season

A report from The Race has provided more details about the position Tsunoda finds himself in at Red Bull ahead of the final nine races of the season.

Although Red Bull didn’t officially decide to replace Sergio Perez until after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, it was clear that they had been mulling over a decision for some time.

It’s believed that Tsunoda has until the Mexico City Grand Prix to convince Mekies and Helmut Marko that he should retain his seat for next year.

This puts additional pressure on the Japanese driver for the next four races, and means that even a sudden resurgence at the end of the campaign might not be enough to stave off Hadjar.

However, it’s believed that Red Bull’s ‘ideal scenario’ is for Tsunoda to continue racing alongside Verstappen.

This is because while Hadjar has proved to be very talented, it would be beneficial to his career to give him an extra year at Racing Bulls to build up more experience.

Red Bull’s 2026 car is a complete unknown ahead of the regulations changing, and there’s no guarantee that it will be any easier to drive.

Having the more experienced Tsunoda in the car makes sense as long as he’s performing at a high enough level.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford relationship

Laurent Mekies addresses rumours that Isack Hadjar could replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull

Speaking to the press after the Dutch Grand Prix, when asked about his driver line-up for next year, Mekies said: “It’s nine races to go.

“I’m not telling you that we’ll wait until the last race, because also, there is a dynamic by which you want to let your driver know. But we have time.”

It’s believed that, based on current form, the ‘more likely outcome’ is that Hadjar steps into Tsunoda’s seat, and Liam Lawson is joined by Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls next year.

Not only that, but the nature of the two teams would allow this switch to happen before the end of the current campaign if Red Bull chiefs believe it would be beneficial for Hadjar and Lindblad to get used to their new surroundings.

It means the upcoming Italian Grand Prix is likely to be one of the most important races of Tsunoda’s F1 career.