Because it stands, Crimson Bull has but to determine the right way to order its Formulation 1 drivers – and it’ll possible take just a few extra weeks earlier than a press launch is issued naming who will companion Max Verstappen on the senior group in 2026 and what the Racing Bulls duo might be. It’s a typical behavior within the F1 paddock for a group principal to declare he has ‘an excellent drawback to have’ when there may be multiple candidate for a seat – implying that any of the choices are enticing.
Taking Verstappen out of the equation, it seems that Crimson Bull has 4 drivers for the three remaining seats – but this case doesn’t truly match the “good drawback” label, as not one of the choices seems to be notably thrilling.
Because the deadline looms, with Helmut Marko confirming the choice is due “round” the Mexico GP in late October, a top level view of Crimson Bull’s considering has already taken form: paddock hearsay means that Isack Hadjar is poised for a promotion. German publication Auto Motor und Sport reported forward of the Azerbaijan GP that the younger Frenchman is ready for a transfer to the senior group, having impressed his bosses in his rookie season with Racing Bulls – and Autosport sources affirm he’s certainly thought of the most effective candidate to companion Verstappen in 2026. The identical was reported through the Baku weekend by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, near the world champion’s camp.
It seems that, though no last resolution has been made, Helmut Marko and co are near thrusting Hadjar into F1’s most uncomfortable seat.
The considering is considerably comprehensible: Yuki Tsunoda has largely did not ship since his promotion and solely after Baku did the Japanese driver elevate himself from nineteenth place within the total standings. For fairly just a few weeks the Crimson Bull driver was forward of solely the 2 Alpine drivers, Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, who’re nonetheless the one ones to have scored a single level this yr. No additional rationalization is required to achieve a conclusion: Tsunoda isn’t precisely what a group with Crimson Bull’s ambitions wants.
Hadjar, in the meantime, delivered a podium end with Racing Bulls – one thing neither the Japanese nor Liam Lawson managed to do with the senior squad, not even shut.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Picture by: Simon Galloway / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
So, whereas Crimson Bull insists no resolution on Tsunoda has been taken but, the phrase within the paddock is that Yuki is not preventing to maintain the Crimson Bull seat however finally battling to remain on the grid completely – with a comeback to the Faenza-based group nonetheless on the playing cards.
This isn’t assured, although, as Crimson Bull can be evaluating whether or not Arvid Lindblad is able to step as much as F1 following his Formulation 2 marketing campaign. The junior’s outcomes recommend the reply is not any, however F2 has just lately grow to be a difficult class for sound judgments, with each Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli promoted to F1 regardless of clear struggles within the sequence.
It’s believed Marko is satisfied sufficient by Lindblad’s expertise to not pay an excessive amount of consideration to his difficult F2 marketing campaign – and there’s an excellent likelihood he’ll nonetheless be promoted to Racing Bulls subsequent yr, leaving both Tsunoda or Lawson with out a place.
However what seems to be like a plan is way from being “an excellent drawback” – and the nearer the supposed deadline for the choice, the more durable it will get to make the decision, as all drivers within the equation fail to supply clear reference factors. The weekend in Baku was a main instance.
Hadjar had a typical rookie weekend. Whereas quick all through, the Frenchman made two errors, in each qualifying and the race. The primary got here on his last try on Saturday, when he was on a lap that might even have earned him a front-row begin – however a lack of eight tenths within the last nook dropped him to eighth total. The subsequent day, a mistake in the identical nook price him two positions. Forgivable for a rookie, however not splendid for somebody edging near a top-team promotion.
It was Lawson who impressed in Baku: qualifying third, being one among only a few drivers to ship an excellent lap within the chaotic closing phases of the session, after which ending fifth within the race. A greater demonstration that Lawson is just not finished with F1 is tough to think about.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Staff, Yuki Tsunoda, Crimson Bull Racing Staff
Picture by: Clive Rose / Getty Photos
Tsunoda, on the identical time, delivered a primary pattern of what he may doubtlessly provide Crimson Bull sooner or later. Ending sixth isn’t precisely a stellar efficiency, nevertheless it was additionally one of many first weekends he had the identical materials as Verstappen. And even when it’s nonetheless not what’s required from a prime driver, a minimum of Tsunoda is beginning to present indicators of promise.
It’s in that context which Lindblad’s F2 performances should come into play. The Crimson Bull junior scored simply 30 factors throughout the final 4 weekends – and there’s little he can do to make up for it in time for Crimson Bull’s resolution, as the subsequent spherical of the championship will happen in Qatar in late November. The Anglo-Swedish driver has made an excellent impression on the simulator, however there’s no proof he represents a greater choice than any of the opposite drivers. One other season in F2 would positively not harm.
Whereas paddock rumours recommend Lindblad will nonetheless get his promotion – and the principle query that continues to be is which driver he would companion – the scenario is way from clear-cut. Crimson Bull is understood for making aggressive and fast calls, particularly in relation to drivers, so till a last resolution is made all choices are on the desk, together with not making any modifications in any respect. Some stability after a slightly chaotic two years on that entrance would make sense – particularly as subsequent yr presents sufficient different challenges.
But, in Crimson Bull’s case, that’s virtually by no means an choice.
