Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has repeatedly referred to the Mexico Grand Prix as a “good reference point” for Red Bull’s driver choices across both teams. However, after the race was won by Lando Norris, the Austrian told Autosport that the timeline has been pushed back.
“We postponed our decision until the end of the season, because first we want to focus on the championship fight,” he said.
When asked whether that means the actual announcement will only be made after the final race of the season, Marko replied: “No, but it will be around Abu Dhabi. We will just focus on the championship first.”
Why Red Bull is “not in a rush”
Team boss Laurent Mekies clarified that the announcements will indeed come before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but confirmed that the decisions have been delayed compared to the original schedule.
“We want to take a bit more time before we make a decision on the drivers. Yuki [Tsunoda] is making steps forward, and the other kids are making steps forward as well,” said Mekies, referring to Racing Bulls duo Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson. “We have no reason to rush the decision, so we will take a bit more time.”
Red Bull’s lack of urgency stems from the fact that all drivers are formally under Red Bull contracts – not assigned to either of its teams. This allows the company to reshuffle the four drivers at any moment. The drivers involved have already been informed that the decision process will take longer and have been formally asked for their collaboration.
In addition to keeping full focus on Verstappen’s title challenge, the delay also gives Red Bull the opportunity to collect more data and information.
“For the decision, we accept that everyone would like us to decide soon. But we are not in a rush. We will take all the time we need,” Mekies continued. “And we will give these guys as many chances as they can have to demonstrate on track who are the best drivers.”
Lindblad makes strong impression on Red Bull leadership
In addition to Tsunoda and the Racing Bulls pair, current F2 driver Arvid Lindblad also plays a key role in these considerations. The British-Swedish racer took part in FP1 during the Mexico GP weekend – and according to Red Bull’s leadership, met all expectations.
“I think he did a great job. It's so difficult to step up in FP1. It's very different these days, as you don't have many tyres and you don't have many laps. But he did a very good job,” Mekies said.
“You have seen all the timesheets by yourself, but he was very calm and gave all the right feedback. He didn't put the foot wrong, and he didn't break the car! So, honestly, he has impressed us on that FP1. No question about that. And we look forward to the next time [of having him] in the car towards the end of the year.”
Following the Mexico weekend, Verstappen has given up his cockpit twice during free practice, meaning his side of the garage has fulfilled the rookie obligations. Tsunoda, however, still has to hand over his car once more, for which Lindblad is again the leading candidate. At the end of the year, the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi provides another opportunity for the 18-year-old to get more F1 mileage.
Two of the three decisions already becoming clear?
While Marko and Mekies continue to refer to “driver decisions,” the picture is already taking shape behind the scenes. Hadjar still has the best chances of being promoted to partner Verstappen at Red Bull next year – a move that seems almost sealed. The same goes for Lindblad and Racing Bulls.
The Red Bull junior has not had the easiest season in F2, but Red Bull is not judging him primarily on that. The decision-makers believe that championship is difficult to judge – in part due to the engines – and place greater weight on Lindblad’s F1 outings. Those have been satisfactory so far.
With Hadjar leading the race for the remaining Red Bull seat and Lindblad in a good position for a Racing Bulls drive, only one position seems truly open. Tsunoda and Lawson are in the hunt for that spot – by the looks of it, the only decision that remains unresolved for now. Red Bull is giving itself more time to make that final call, which could also depend in part on whether Honda is willing to play any role as a personal sponsor or not.
For now, all attention remains on Verstappen’s title fight with the McLaren pairing. The side effect is that both Lawson and Tsunoda will have a little more time to prove themselves.
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