Three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick believes Racing Bulls could opt for an all-new driver line-up for 2026.
Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s contract currently expires at the end of 2025, and it is understood that Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar could earn a promotion to the Milton Keynes outfit for next year, alongside four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.
Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad has been linked to a contract with Racing Bulls. Either Tsunoda or Liam Lawson could fill the other seat, or another rookie could take one of the coveted positions.
When asked about recent rumours that have suggested that Racing Bulls may opt for an all-new driver line-up in 2026, Chadwick explained on the Sky Sports F1 Show: “I think they might. And if they do, I think it’s very obvious. It’s because they are constantly looking to try and find the next Max Verstappen.
“They don’t want to find the next sort of number-two drivers or just a driver that can be solid across the board. They want to find drivers that are these kind of superstars in Formula 1.
“And I think if they, in my opinion, just keep the same line-up as they’ve got, then they know that those two drivers aren’t going to be Red Bull Racing drivers, they aren’t going to be drivers that will ever… they accept that they’re not going to maybe match Verstappen, but even be within a tenth or so of Max, which is what they really kind of need.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“So, are they better off just trying something new? Putting someone new in, a younger driver, a fresh driver, and they might find, like they have with Isack Hadjar in the Racing Bulls.
“The thing we don’t know is, we know what Isack Hadjar is like in the Racing Bulls, how is he going to fare in the Red Bull? If he comes in and he is also off the pace like we’ve seen with the last sort of three or so drivers, well, every driver that’s gone up against Max recently, then there’s the fundamental issue there.
“But if he comes in and he’s right where they need him to be, then yeah, they constantly need to be trying to find these young drivers to put in the Racing Bulls, develop them up to ultimately go into the Red Bull Racing seat.”
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