Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull 'in no rush' to choose Verstappen’s teammate for 2026

08:27, 28 Oct

Updated: 12:03, 28 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

Laurent Mekies shared the Red Bull family is 'not in a rush' to decide on its driver line-ups for the 2026 campaign.

"As much as we accept that everyone would like us to decide, we are not in a rush."

- Laurent Mekies

The French team boss was satisfied with Yuki Tsunoda's weekend in Mexico, calling it one of his 'best in a long time.'

He said: "He was very very close in qualifying to Max, I think it was two tenths in Q2. And today, the first stint was very very strong as well, two tenths, three tenths from Max, on the same very first stint on the medium.

"Then after, fair enough, I think it's on our side, we let him out a little bit longer because there was an advantage for us to do that and we had a slightly wrong pit stop so we killed a few points that he would have scored on merit.

"It's one of the reasons why we want to take a bit more time before we make a decision on drivers. Yuki is making steps forward, the other kids are making steps forward as well, so we have no reason to rush the decision, so we will take a bit more time," Mekies explained.

Currently, two drivers have contracts for 2026. Max Verstappen confirmed at the Hungaroring that he will remain with the team for next season, and Isack Hadjar also enjoys seat security at either of the two teams.

Mekies on the Red Bull pit wall in Mexico - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull's mind is on different battles

With Red Bull Racing focusing on Verstappen's title fight and Racing Bulls battling for positions in the midfield, the Austrians will take their time to make a decision and could leave it until Abu Dhabi, Mekies commented.

He added: "As much as we accept that everyone would like us to decide, we are not in a rush. We will take all the time we need. Give these guys as many chances as they can have to demonstrate on track who are the best."

“I didn’t mention it, but you are right in saying that there is also a focus element in our decisions to delay. What is at stake is exactly what you describe. The parameters are exactly this. We are lucky enough, we are free to choose what we think we need to choose.”

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