Red Bull lock in 2026 driver line-ups – announcement incoming!

Red Bull has confirmed that its decision on the 2026 Formula 1 driver line-up is locked in – and the world will find out on Tuesday.

With anticipation rising ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi finale, the team has made it clear that no hints will be dropped before the official announcement, even as speculation swirls around one of the season’s most scrutinized seats.

Team principal Laurent Mekies kept his cards close to his chest when queried on the matter in Qatar last weekend, offering only a firm promise – and a gentle warning.

“All I can tell you is that we will, in fact, stick to our plan, and we will announce on Tuesday what's the driver line-up,” Mekies said, quoted by The Race.

“We are confident it will not disturb the focus in Abu Dhabi. Don't ask me to anticipate [reveal] what will be announced on Tuesday, please!”

Yuki Tsunoda’s Future

Yuki Tsunoda remains at the heart of the unfolding drama. While he has shown flashes of impressive pace since replacing Liam Lawson early in the season, the Japanese driver has struggled to convert potential into consistent results.

Sitting 15th in the standings with 33 points – 366 behind Max Verstappen – his future is far from secure.

Tsunoda, however, believes his recent performances demonstrate meaningful progress.

“I think I'm showing what I can do,” he said. “And I don't think within my seat [the second Red Bull seat]...I remember the last few years, I didn't see many drivers able to achieve this step in the middle of the season, and went through very, very difficult moments with the beginning of the season.

“It’s just a matter of now trying to help Max the next race. The pace is there, I don't think that there is much more we can do with this second seat.”

Whether Tsunoda stays within the Red Bull ecosystem remains unclear. He could return to the sister Racing Bulls squad, become reserve for both teams, or, depending on Tuesday’s verdict, be released.

Red Bull has been weighing Tsunoda against Lawson – whose resurgence has impressed leadership – and rising Formula 2 talent Arvid Lindblad.

A Vital Support Role in Abu Dhabi

Beyond Red Bull’s upcoming revea, the Japanese driver’s immediate priority remains assisting Verstappen’s title push in Abu Dhabi, something Mekies described as vital.

“It could be down to the last point, so it could be mega important,” Mekies stressed. “It will be super important to have Yuki at 100%.”

• Read also: Brundle on why Hadjar needs ‘another year’ at Racing Bulls

The Red Bull chief praised Tsunoda’s Qatar weekend – highlighted by a fifth-place sprint finish – despite a Q1 exit in Sunday qualifying while only three tenths off Verstappen.

“So he has done a strong weekend,” Mekies added. “We need another strong weekend in Abu Dhabi because everything will be needed.”

With championships and careers on the line, Tuesday’s reveal now looms as one of Red Bull’s most anticipated announcements in years.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook