The clock is ticking toward 2026, and everyone wants to know: who’s driving for Red Bull and Racing Bulls next season? Laurent Mekies has an answer, and it’s simple. Nobody knows yet. And he’s not in any hurry to tell us. It’s not indecision. It’s not procrastination. It’s a strategy. And if you’ve been following the

Red Bull driver development program over the years, you know this: they don’t do anything without a reason. Mekies made it clear after the Mexico City Grand Prix that Red Bull will “take a bit more time” before locking in their 2026 lineup.

That might frustrate fans hungry for news, but for the team, it’s the smart play. They’re gathering data, watching performances, and making sure every driver in their system gets a fair shot to prove they belong.

Tsunoda’s Resurgence Is Hard to Ignore

Let’s talk about Yuki Tsunoda. The driver has had a rollercoaster of a season. After switching seats with Liam Lawson following the first two races, Tsunoda struggled to find his rhythm in the RB21. The car didn’t suit him. The results weren’t there. People started to wonder if his time was running out. But then something shifted. Mexico was a turning point.

Mekies didn’t hold back in his praise after the race. “Yuki had his best weekend in a long time,” he said. That’s not a throw-away line. That’s a team principal noticing progress. Tsunoda qualified just two-tenths off Max Verstappen in Q2. On race day, he ran that same gap to the reigning world champion during a long first stint on the medium tire. That’s a serious pace.

He didn’t get the points finish he deserved, but that wasn’t on him. A slow pit stop and a longer-than-ideal first stint cost him a shot at the top 10. Still, the raw speed was there. The composure was there. And most importantly, the growth was there.

“Of course, it’s one of the reasons why we want to take a bit more time before we make a decision on drivers,” Mekies explained. “Yuki is making steps forward, the other kids are making steps forward as well, so we have no reason to rush a decision.” Translation? Tsunoda’s back in the fight. And Red Bull wants to see if he can keep it up.

Lindblad’s FP1 Run Shows Promise, But There’s More to Prove

Then there’s Arvid Lindblad. The 18-year-old F2 driver got his first taste of Formula 1 machinery during FP1 in Mexico, and he didn’t waste the opportunity. Mekies was impressed.”I think he did a great job,” Mekies said.

“It’s so difficult to step up in FP1, so difficult. It’s very different to test days, you don’t have much tires, you don’t have many laps, and he did just a very good job.” Lindblad stayed calm under pressure. He gave solid feedback. He didn’t put a wheel wrong. And crucially, he didn’t break the car.

For a rookie making his debut in front of the paddock’s sharpest eyes, that’s a win. But one FP1 session doesn’t lock in a seat. Mekies knows that. “We look forward to the next time in the car, towards the end of the year,” he said. Lindblad will get more chances. And when he does, Red Bull will be watching closely.

Why Red Bull Refuses to Rush the Call

Here’s the thing: Red Bull has options. A lot of them. And when you have that luxury, why rush? Mekies acknowledged the balancing act they’re navigating. On one hand, you want drivers focused on finishing the season strong. However, those same drivers deserve to know where they stand.

It’s a tricky line to walk, and Red Bull is being deliberate about it.”We don’t need the distraction now,” Mekies admitted. “But what is at stake is exactly what you described. The parameters are… we are lucky enough, we are free to choose, but we need to choose.”

The team wants to see how everyone performs down the stretch. Tsunoda’s recent surge matters. Lindblad’s composure in Mexico matters. Lawson’s consistency at Red Bull matters. And Racing Bulls’ pairing of Isack Hadjar and whoever else steps in? That matters too.

Red Bull has built one of the most ruthless and effective driver development programs in the sport. They’ve launched the careers of Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, and Pierre Gasly, among others. They know how to spot talent. And they’re not going to pull the trigger on 2026 until they’re sure they’ve made the right call.

A Decision Is Coming

So when will we know? Mekies confirmed it won’t drag past the season finale in Abu Dhabi. “No, it will be before,” he said. That gives Red Bull a few more races to evaluate. A few more weekends to watch Tsunoda build on his Mexico performance.

A few more opportunities to see Lindblad behind the wheel. And a few more chances for anyone else in the system to make their case. It’s not about creating drama. It’s about making the smartest decision for the long-term future of both Red Bull teams.

Final Thoughts

In a sport where one wrong call can set you back years, taking the time to get things right isn’t a weakness. it’s wisdom. Red Bull’s 2026 driver lineup is coming, just not on anyone’s timeline but Red Bull’s.

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