The Formula 1 world is buzzing with speculation now that Red Bull Racing has recorded the drivers setup for the 2026 season, with an official announcement that is imminent. According to sources close to the team, including a former world champion, the decision has been made about who will ride alongside Max Verstappen during the new regulations period. The surprise? Max Verstappen, the four -time world champion, not only remains the team of the team, but gets an unexpected teammate who can drastically change the dynamics within Red Bull.
According to recent reports, Red Bull has opted for a daring strategy by promoting Isack Hadjar to the head team, alongside Verstappen. Hadjar, who impressed Racing Bulls in 2025, is seen as a rising star within the Red Bull Academy. His strong performances, despite an unfortunate crash during the Parade lap in Australia, put him in the spotlight. “Isack has shown that he is ready for the big work,” said an anonymous source within Red Bull. “His speed and learning ability make him a perfect candidate to race next to Max.” This choice means that Yuki Tsunoda, who had difficulty in 2025 to perform consistently alongside Verstappen, probably does not get a contract extension with the main team.
The decision to promote Hadjar is striking because many expected that Liam Lawson, after his short and difficult Stint at Red Bull in 2025, would get a new chance. However, Before 2026, Lawson seems intended for Racing Bulls, possibly alongside young talent Arvid Lindblad. This set -up reflects Red Bull’s philosophy of quickly passing on young drivers, a strategy that entails both risks and rewards. Verstappen himself would be satisfied with the choice for Hadjar, because he wants a driver beside him who can keep up with his pace without disturbing team dynamics.
The announcement comes at a crucial moment, with the radical changes of rules of 2026. Red Bull will switch to its own power source in collaboration with Ford, which puts extra pressure on the drivers to quickly optimize the car. Verstappen, who is under contract until 2028, remains anchor of the team. “Max is our leader, but we need someone who can challenge him and at the same time teaches him,” said team boss Laurent Mekies in a recent interview. Hadjar’s promotion is seen as a gamble, but also as a sign of trust in Red Bull’s talent pipeline.
The Formula 1 community is eagerly looking forward to the official confirmation, which is expected to take place before the end of 2025. This choice can shake up the hierarchy in sport, especially since Hadjar still has to prove that he can handle the pressure next to a titan like Verstappen. Will this GOK Red Bull lead to a new Golden Age, or will it increase the tensions within the team? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: 2026 promises to be a spectacular season.
