Red Bull’s driver market is heating up again — particularly around the B-Team (Racing Bulls) seat for 2026. Recent reporting from Auto Motor und Sport suggests that Arvid Lindblad is all but guaranteed promotion into one of the B-Team cockpits, leaving Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson in a tight fight for what looks likely to be the final Red Bull-junior backed F1 seat. Let’s look at what the reports say, where each driver stands, and what might decide the showdown.
Hadjar Expected to Join Red Bull
Before focusing on the Racing Bulls battle, it’s important to acknowledge the biggest story in the Red Bull camp: reports suggest Isack Hadjar is expected to be confirmed as a Red Bull Racing driver for 2026, stepping up as Max Verstappen’s teammate. The Frenchman’s steady rise — capped by a breakthrough podium at Zandvoort earlier this season — has made him a standout within the Red Bull ranks.
Hadjar himself has admitted the idea of a promotion was “scary” at first, but his performances since the summer break have strengthened his case. Reports suggest Red Bull’s leadership view him as a long-term partner to Verstappen, balancing youthful promise with proven ability under pressure. For Hadjar, the move represents both the biggest opportunity of his career and an immense challenge — being measured directly against one of the most dominant drivers of the modern era.
Where the Reports Stand
According to Auto Motor und Sport (15 September 2025), several key details have emerged:
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Arvid Lindblad, the 18-year-old with Swedish heritage, is seen as the almost certain pick for one of the Racing Bulls seats in 2026. He is currently 7th in the Formula 2 standings in his rookie F2 season and has shown flashes of significant speed. His “talent regularly shines through,” the report states.
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With Hadjar expected to move up to Red Bull Racing, the remaining Racing Bulls seat is contested by Yuki Tsunoda vs. Liam Lawson. The piece suggests Tsunoda has “slightly better cards” right now. Among the reasons: experience in the Red Bull structure, familiarity with the car, and better recent consistency. Lawson, while showing talent, has had fewer standout results since the summer break.
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The article also notes that one of the major criteria set for Tsunoda was a “target distance” relative to Verstappen in races — essentially, Red Bull set internal benchmarks for how close Tsunoda needs to be to the pace of the lead car.
Tsunoda vs Lawson: What Each Brings
Yuki Tsunoda
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More F1 experience within the Red Bull structure.
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Stronger consistency this season, seen as a dependable contributor of points and feedback.
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Commercial appeal in Japan, which remains a factor for Red Bull’s sponsors.
Liam Lawson
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Has shown flashes of speed and ability, including points finishes under pressure.
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However, inconsistency has cost him — especially compared to Hadjar’s progress.
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Needs a strong finish to 2025 to make his case; standout results in the remaining races could still tip the balance.
What This Means for the Final Decision
The picture is clear:
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Hadjar is widely expected to step up to Red Bull Racing, marking him as the standout of the current junior crop.
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Lindblad is nearly certain to get one Racing Bulls seat.
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Tsunoda vs Lawson is the last unresolved battle, and Tsunoda currently seems to have the edge.
Final Thoughts
Red Bull’s driver ladder is once again proving decisive for the F1 market. Hadjar’s expected promotion highlights the faith Red Bull have in him as Verstappen’s partner, while Lindblad’s rise confirms their long-term investment in youth. The Tsunoda-Lawson fight is the last open question, one that will be settled on track in the remaining races of 2025.
For fans, this sets up an exciting narrative: Hadjar taking on Verstappen at the top, Lindblad beginning his F1 journey, and Tsunoda and Lawson battling for survival. It’s proof once again that Red Bull’s ruthless — but effective — talent system never sleeps.
