Helmut Marko is determined to bring Isack Hadjar alongside Max Verstappen for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The hope is that the French rookie can benefit from a less extreme car, avoiding the pitfalls faced by his predecessors. Since the Austrian advisor also wants to debut Arvid Lindblad in Racing Bulls, the question arises: who will be left out between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda?
Red Bull faces a complex puzzle ahead of the 2026 championship. The surprise, even for Helmut Marko himself, is that the center of attention is Isack Hadjar. The fourth-place finish in qualifying yesterday at Zandvoort confirmed two beliefs formed during the first half of the season: the VCARB 02 is a car with enviable drivability, and Hadjar, despite his limited experience, is one of its most capable interpreters.
Within the Red Bull program, a strategic puzzle is taking shape for 2026. The surprise, again for Helmut Marko, is the prominence of Isack Hadjar. The French driver’s fourth-place qualifying at Zandvoort reaffirmed what the team observed earlier this season: the VCARB 02 offers excellent handling, and Hadjar, even as a young rookie, has demonstrated remarkable skill in managing the car.
In the paddock, some commentators jokingly ask whether moving to Red Bull should be considered a reward or, as happened with every young driver who progressed from the junior team to the senior squad since 2019, more like entering a nightmare. Among the young talents who have left Faenza for Milton Keynes over the past six years, some had unquestionable talent, others had more structure and experience (like Yuki Tsunoda), but none have shown Hadjar’s mental resilience.
His debut in Melbourne, which ended in tears after only a few meters, should not be misleading. Within just 24 hours, Hadjar had put the incident behind him, ready for the Shanghai weekend. Naturally, he faced the common challenges that every rookie encounters at the start of a Formula 1 career, but he climbed the learning curve step by step with confidence and without panic.
It is no surprise that Marko wants Hadjar alongside Verstappen as soon as next season, and this time timing might favor the rookie. Like all ten other teams set to compete next year, Red Bull will launch a completely new car, meaning all drivers will start from scratch in adapting their driving. This could be a significant advantage for Isack, especially if the technical team led by Pierre Waché delivers a less extreme car than the current model, with a usable operating window for drivers other than Max Verstappen.
Who could give up their seat for Lindblad?
Hadjar’s promotion is not yet official, but it seems inevitable, and it may not be the only change in Red Bull’s 2026 lineup. Arvid Lindblad made his Formula 1 debut during FP1 at the British Grand Prix while still a minor. He has since come of age over the summer break and is currently competing in his first Formula 2 season. The British-Indian driver sits seventh in the championship standings with two wins and a pole position, just five points behind his more experienced teammate Pepe Martí.
Marko has not revealed any decisions yet. Lindblad’s future will likely be determined between late September and early October, after the next two Formula 2 rounds in Monza and Baku.
If Lindblad’s performances are convincing, he could earn a Formula 1 seat, requiring a current driver to move. The likely scenario is that Yuki Tsunoda might be demoted to Racing Bulls, reclaiming the seat he gave up to Liam Lawson just months ago. For the New Zealander, who returned to Red Bull a year ago to replace Daniel Ricciardo, it would be his second setback in 2025.
This scenario seems most probable, but it is also possible that Tsunoda himself could be the one to make way for Lindblad. Whoever misses out risks watching the 2026 championship from the sidelines. For this reason, both Tsunoda’s and Lawson’s management are eager to know Marko’s decision as soon as possible. There is still one seat available at Alpine, but if the situation only becomes clear in October, it may be too late.
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