Red Bull confirmed back in December that Liam Lawson would join the team for the 2025 season, but with the current campaign nearly over, their lineup for 2026 still hasn’t been announced.
Lawson had to wait as Red Bull worked out an exit deal with Sergio Perez. Perez had signed a new contract earlier in June, but after his form dipped, Red Bull decided to move on from him despite the cost involved.
His replacement lasted only two races before Yuki Tsunoda stepped in. Perez later commented that no driver could survive alongside Max Verstappen, not even Lewis Hamilton.
Tsunoda’s time didn’t break the cycle of second drivers at Milton Keynes, and attention has now turned to Isack Hadjar. While Red Bull initially said a decision would come after Mexico, that announcement has been delayed.
Isack Hadjar hoping to secure Red Bull seat for post-season test
Motorsport Italia reported that Hadjar’s position on the move has evolved over time. As recently as August, there were indications that he was hesitant to make the jump to Red Bull so early in his career.
But not long after, reports surfaced suggesting he had changed his mind. While he initially felt unprepared, Hadjar is now publicly expressing his desire to make the step up.
Hadjar is now hoping to be behind the wheel of a Red Bull during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, which follows the final race of the season. The previous year saw several drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon, making appearances for their new teams during this session.
However, Lawson ended up driving for Racing Bulls instead, as Christian Horner and Helmut Marko were still weighing their options. That limited track time may have set him back later on, especially since his pre-season testing in Bahrain was disrupted by technical issues and poor weather.
Martin Brundle raises questions about Red Bull’s plan for Isack Hadjar
Lawson managed just 149 laps in the Red Bull ahead of his debut in Australia, with only Lance Stroll (133) logging fewer.
He had just 11 race starts under his belt before stepping into the role, so every bit of track time was valuable. Hadjar, with 19 starts, might be keen to avoid a similar situation.
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Gary Anderson has suggested that Red Bull should give Liam Lawson another opportunity, but at this point, that seems unlikely. Lawson may simply be keeping the seat warm until the team decides to bring in another young driver.
Martin Brundle has cautioned against moving Hadjar up too soon, especially with major regulation changes coming in 2026. It will be a significant challenge for any driver to adapt.
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