Red Bull Racing announces who will be Verstappen's 2026 teammate

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Red Bull Racing announces who will be Max Verstappen's teammate in 2026

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Dec 1, 2025 8:45 AM ET

After dazzling in Qatar and winning his second grand prix in three tries, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing will fight for the Drivers’ Championship against McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 7.

Outside of Verstappen trying to win his fifth straight title, Red Bull has finally announced who will take the No. 2 spot next to him in 2026. Frenchman Isack Hadjar is getting the nod, according to Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf. Hadjar, 21, is in his rookie season and has been racing with the Red Bulls’ sister team, Racing Bulls.

Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar should help Red Bull compete in Drivers' and Constructors' Championships

As it stands, Red Bull sits third (426 points) in the standings behind Mercedes (second with 459 points) and the winner of the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren (800 points).

Red Bull still has a chance to battle for second, but it will be solely on the back of Verstappen. His current teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, sits in 15th in the Drivers’ Championship and has accounted for 33 points this season. Verstappen, on his own, has accounted for 396 of Red Bull's 426 points.

TEAM STANDINGS (after 23 rounds)

Red Bull still have an outside chance of taking P2 #F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/9i8CiVmQQm
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 30, 2025

Hadjar currently sits in 10th place in the standings and has 18 more points (51) than Tsunoda. If Red Bull had Hadjar's 51 points, it would have 477 points and be ahead of Mercedes heading into the final race.

Hadjar also brings a pedigree of a podium finisher, finishing third during the Dutch Grand Prix. Tsunoda has zero podiums in his career and finished ninth in that grand prix.

DRIVER STANDINGS (after 23/24 rounds)

It's going to be a grandstand finish to the season #F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/WzJSpwRnK7
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 30, 2025

Yuki Tsunoda will not have a seat in Formula 1 in 2026

Tsunoda took over for Liam Lawson, who started the season with Red Bull before being demoted to Racing Bulls, and has failed to give the team or Verstappen the boost they'd hoped for. Tsunoda's failure and the cutthroat nature of Formula 1 have led to him not having a seat in 2026, according to Van Haren.

Lawson will remain with Racing Bulls, with 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad joining him as his teammate and replacement for Hadjar. Abu Dhabi will be Tsunoda’s last race in Formula 1, barring any changes.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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