'You're too smart': Hadjar's telling admission for 2026 as Helmut Marko set to make decision after Mexico
The writing is on the wall for Yuki Tsunoda.
Red Bull supremo Helmut Marko has announced that after the Mexico Grand Prix, Red Bull will announce their 2026 driver that will race alongside Max Verstappen in the main stable.
And all arrows currently point to rookie Isack Hadjar to become the newest young gun in the Red Bull second seat.
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Marko is usually the decision maker for Red Bull's seats and announced that, "The problem is the driver, and after the Mexico City Grand Prix, we will make a decision about who will be Max's teammate in 2026."
Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium. Getty
"We said we would make the decision after the Mexican Grand Prix. So let's leave it at that, please," Marko said to the Sky Sports broadcast when asked in Texas.
Tsunoda's best result in the 2025 season is sixth in Baku and he currently sits in 16th on the drivers' standings.
Going into discussions for 2026, Tsunoda would have much preferred a more compelling results package to put forward to plead his case.
It seems difficult to see Marko and others choosing Tsunoda to stay, over switching him out with more promising, younger talent behind him.
For Hadjar, he sits in 10th in the drivers' championship with Racing Bulls and scored a maiden podium with third place at the Dutch Grand Prix, making a solid case for his move up to partner the four-time world champion in Verstappen.
Third placed Isack Hadjar celebrates on the podium with his trophy during the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands. Getty
When asked if he knew his future but cannot confirm it, Hadjar laughed and responded coyly, "There we go, there's the answer."
"Nah, you're too smart, you know," the 21-year-old said to media on Thursday of the Mexico weekend.
It seems the 21-year-old already knows his destiny for 2026 but cannot announce until the completion of the Mexico Grand Prix.
"In an ideal world, I'd like everyone to wait for the end of the year before asking me questions," he added.
"I will definitely know before it's announced. Otherwise, there's a problem."
Liam Lawson talks with Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the Paddock. Getty
Other drivers have been linked to the three open seats in the Red Bull stable, Formula 2 contenders Arvid Lindblad and Alex Dunne briefly joining the discussions but it looks as if the seat will be firmly decided between Tsunoda and Hadjar.
Lindblad will take to the track in FP1 in Verstappen's car, Mexico hosting nine rookie tests for drivers in contention for open seats.
Liam Lawson is also in the mix, with a contract extension not yet signed for the 2026 season with Racing Bulls, but the New Zealand driver believes he has "done enough" to stay in Formula 1.
"I feel like I've done everything that I can and I'll continue doing that," he admitted when asked about his future in Mexico.
