Team member urged to disregard all chatter, according to Liam Lawson's advice.
The Mexican Grand Prix is fast approaching, and with it comes a significant decision for Red Bull Motorsport: the choice of Marko's successor for the second Red Bull seat in the 2026 season.
One name that has been consistently linked to the coveted position is Isack Hadjar. The young French driver, currently competing in Formula 2, has been making waves with his impressive performances, earning him a spot as a promising candidate to be Max Verstappen's teammate next year.
However, Hadjar remains unruffled by the speculation surrounding his potential Red Bull seat. He has recently stated that he spent his time off at home, choosing to focus on his work rather than the rumours circulating the paddock.
Liam Lawson, who was previously announced as Sergio Pérez's successor at Red Bull Racing in December 2024, offers some advice to Hadjar should he find himself in the Red Bull cockpit. Lawson advises him to stay focused on his work and ignore the speculation, a piece of wisdom he learned the hard way after being demoted back to AlphaTauri following two disappointing races.
Red Bull justified Lawson's demotion by stating they had to protect him, handing the seat to Yuki Tsunoda instead. Despite this setback, Lawson remains determined, emphasising that winning and driving at the top, not necessarily a specific team, is his goal.
Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull Motorsport advisor, is taking his time to decide on the second Red Bull cockpit for 2026. He is monitoring the performances of Tsunoda, Lawson, and Hadjar, with a final decision expected by the end of October 2025.
Among these candidates, Hadjar has made a strong impression and holds a multi-year contract, which could influence Red Bull's choice for a race seat either at Red Bull Racing or AlphaTauri. However, no official announcement has been made yet.
Meanwhile, Laurent Mekies is being considered for the new team principal position at Red Bull, but no information about a change being visible in the team due to Mekies' appointment is provided.
Max Verstappen will remain at Red Bull Racing in 2026, but his teammate has not yet been definitively chosen. Hadjar, with his ambition to drive for the best team in Formula 1, will undoubtedly be hoping to secure that coveted seat.
Lawson, on the other hand, expects a final decision about his future in upcoming races. He emphasises that self-confidence is essential for any Formula 1 racer, a trait he has in abundance.
The decision on the two remaining seats at Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri is still up in the air, with Tsunoda, Lawson, and Formula 2 talent Arvid Lindblad all in the running. The race is on, and only time will tell who will secure a spot alongside Verstappen in 2026.
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