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Liam Lawson Faces F1 Seat Risk as Team Seeks Next Verstappen
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Highlights
- Red Bull has not finalized three F1 seats for 2026 season.
- Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda face possible departure from team.
- Isack Hadjar rumored for promotion after strong rookie Formula 2 season.
- Alex Dunne in talks after leaving McLaren’s junior program.
- Red Bull prioritizes finding a new star over reliable second drivers.
- Team may run two rookies in Racing Bulls next year.
Red Bull enters 2026 with three unconfirmed Formula 1 seats, intensifying scrutiny on its driver pool. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda face uncertain futures as the team targets Verstappen-level performance.
Red Bull has three unconfirmed driver seats for 2026.
Lawson began 2025 at Red Bull, then lost the seat to Tsunoda after two rounds. Tsunoda’s form remains inconsistent, reflecting the program’s unforgiving performance bar.
Racing driver and pundit Jamie Chadwick believes both could depart. Her assessment underscores pressure within Red Bull’s pipeline and the demand for immediate impact.
Isack Hadjar’s standout rookie Formula 2 season places him in contention for 2026. Yet graduating from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing is a proven step up in demands.
“If another arrival is off the pace, the issue looks structural, not individual,” Chadwick told Sky F1.
Chadwick argues repeated underperformance would indicate deeper causes than driver choice. Integration, car characteristics, and expectations could be contributing factors.
Red Bull prioritizes discovering a future leader over installing a safe number two. That stance elevates risk in the short term but aims for maximum competitive upside.
Alex Dunne also features in discussions after leaving McLaren’s junior ranks. He still needs a top‑three F2 finish to secure the FIA super licence.
Running two rookies at Racing Bulls next year remains feasible. The move would accelerate assessment but could amplify mistakes under 2026 technical changes.
Red Bull could field two rookies at Racing Bulls in 2026.
The 2025 Formula 1 season stays intense. Max Verstappen fights for the title while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris apply sustained pressure.
Upcoming decisions will shape Red Bull’s roster beyond 2025. The process aims to identify the next Max Verstappen while preserving development throughput and competitive headroom.
Visual Summary
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2026
2026
Lawson
⚠
⚠
Tsunoda
⌛
⌛
Hadjar
⭐
⭐
Dunne
?
?
Verstappen
★
Target
Level
Level
WHO WILL CLIMB TO THE TOP?
3 Red Bull F1 seats open for 2026
Only a Verstappen-level superstar will secure them.
Red Bull searches for a future superstar…
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
