Red Bull told to snub Isack Hadjar and sign ‘super good’ 304-point F1 driver to replace Yuki Tsunoda

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Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies will want to concentrate on what’s happening on the track at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.

Speculation has been rife about what Red Bull plan to do with their second seat for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season.

The easiest option would be to stick with Yuki Tsunoda, despite his difficult run of form since joining the team at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Tsunoda would represent continuity heading into a winter of change in Formula 1, with new regulations on the horizon next year.

Liam Lawson returning to Red Bull hasn’t been completely ruled out, and there’s an argument that if he’s never going to be in contention to return, that he shouldn’t even be driving for Racing Bulls.

Isack Hadjar appears to be Red Bull’s favoured driver to replace Tsunoda at the end of the campaign.

The Frenchman’s stunning podium at the Dutch Grand Prix has only added further fuel to the flames that he could be in line for a 2026 promotion.

However, Dutch driver and pundit Mike Hezemans believes there’s a fundamental reason why Red Bull shouldn’t promote Isack Hadjar, and should actually reach out to another driver already on the grid to try and convince them to partner Max Verstappen next year.

READ MORE: Williams star Alex Albon’s life outside F1 with net worth, girlfriend to parents

Red Bull told to sign Alex Albon over Isack Hadjar over feedback concerns

Hezemans was speaking to RacingNews365 about the Red Bull driver situation and explained: “I spoke to someone from Racing Bulls in Miami. He told me that he is very open-minded, but his feedback is not quite what it should be yet.

“I don’t know how they do it at Racing Bulls; maybe Lawson is good at it. But he doesn’t really know yet.

“It’s as if he’s karting. He’s relaxed, thinks it’s all fine, but his feedback still leaves a little to be desired.

“Alex Albon is just a super good driver. He would be better alongside Max Verstappen than perhaps Hadjar.

“Or at least, I hope so, because I don’t want Hadjar to go to Red Bull. Because then I fear the worst for him.”

Hezemans admitted he does have one concern about Albon if he did move to Red Bull and continued: “If you really put him under pressure, for example, when there’s a fast driver next to him, he starts complaining more on the radio.

“I think he gets a bit nervous then. You saw that last year when Colapinto came and blocked his car a few times.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Would a return to Red Bull Racing appeal to Williams driver Alex Albon?

Alex Albon is currently the best driver in Formula 1’s midfield this season and sits on the same number of points in the drivers’ championship as Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Albon’s points tally of 64 after finishing fifth at the Dutch Grand Prix means he’s scored more points than each of the five teams below Williams in the constructors’ championship.

The Thai driver, who has scored 304 points across his career, has been in sensational form, and if the F1 driver market had played out differently, he might be linked with a seat in a top team for next year.

However, it’s believed that Albon has little interest in returning to Red Bull in the future after the spell he spent with the team in 2019 and 2020.

Williams are one of the most exciting projects in the paddock, and considering the progress they’ve made this season, and the resources already poured into their 2026 car, they could be a serious force when next season rolls around.