Overview
- Helmut Marko says final decisions on the Red Bull and Racing Bulls lineups are delayed until around Abu Dhabi after initially targeting the Mexico weekend.
- Laurent Mekies indicates announcements are likely before the season finale and stresses the team is not rushing while it gathers more on‑track evidence.
- Red Bull notes all four candidates are contracted centrally, preserving flexibility to reshuffle drivers between the two teams.
- Arvid Lindblad impressed in Mexico FP1 in Verstappen’s car as the fastest rookie with praised feedback, and he is expected to get further running later this year.
- Multiple outlets report Isack Hadjar as the frontrunner to join Verstappen in 2026 and Lindblad as well placed for a Racing Bulls seat, with Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson still in contention for the remaining spot.