Even in 2025, the seat subsequent to Max Verstappen stays a headache for Purple Bull. After the Components 1 Chinese language Grand Prix, the group determined to swap Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda, however that has not confirmed to be the answer but. Since his promotion, the Japanese driver has solely scored 9 factors and sits nineteenth within the championship standings, with solely Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan behind him.
On the identical time, Isack Hadjar is impressing the Purple Bull bosses as a rookie. It's no coincidence that Helmut Marko, after Hadjar's first F1 podium end, mentioned Hadjar can stand up to the strain of the seat alongside Verstappen: “Isack is totally different,” mentioned the 82-year-old Austrian. These phrases mirror how Purple Bull views Hadjar and in addition the route wherein the driving force alternative for 2026 is at present heading.
Nevertheless, Marko has repeatedly harassed that there isn't a rush for a last determination or formal announcement, since all drivers are below Purple Bull contracts. This consists of the sister group's drivers, which suggests there's flexibility to maneuver them round at any time.
Forward of the Azerbaijan GP, German publication Auto, Motor und Sport reported that Hadjar shall be Verstappen's team-mate subsequent 12 months, a suggestion the French driver didn't deny throughout media day in Baku. “I've an thought, however I don't know [for sure].” When requested about his response to the media stories, he mentioned: “I had like 5 days off at house, I had different issues to do than scrolling on Instagram.”
Hadjar on pole, how essential are the subsequent three races for Tsunoda?
Data obtained by Autosport signifies that Hadjar, because it stands, is certainly in pole place for promotion to Purple Bull in 2026. Formally, nevertheless, the group is sticking to the timeline talked about by Marko. Purple Bull's motorsport advisor cited the Mexican Grand Prix on the finish of October as a reference level. It means Purple Bull will anticipate the subsequent three race weekends earlier than making a definitive determination.
Until one thing extraordinary occurs to vary the present outlook, Hadjar shall be promoted to the primary group for 2026 – which suggests Tsunoda would wish distinctive outcomes to maintain the Purple Bull seat, one thing that appears unlikely at this stage.
Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing
Photograph by: Steven Tee / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
The subsequent three weekends are subsequently vital for Tsunoda, requiring one thing uncommon to show the tide. “I am probably not considering a lot in regards to the future but to be sincere. However each race is essential at this second, that's true,” Tsunoda mentioned in Baku. “I simply must maintain delivering the outcomes and displaying progress each race, after which allow them to resolve what they wish to do. I like [the idea of] myself preventing towards the individuals and attempting to make it work.”
Return to Racing Bulls an possibility for Tsunoda?
If Tsunoda can not obtain the surprising, a return to Racing Bulls is without doubt one of the choices. Tsunoda himself didn't rule out that situation in the course of the media day in Azerbaijan: “I am unsure what is going on to occur at Racing Bulls subsequent 12 months. The one factor I am occupied with now's staying at Purple Bull for subsequent 12 months, so I am probably not considering a lot in regards to the state of affairs if I am going again to Racing Bulls or no matter. I will take into consideration that when that factor occurs. It is a group that I used to be staying with for lots of years, and I do know the individuals, however on the identical time I moved on already to a brand new chapter.”
Tsunoda rejects the concept his present Purple Bull stint has been only a battle: “To date, it in all probability seems like a tough second, however truly it is given me plenty of progress as a human and as a driver.”
If Tsunoda can not flip issues round with standout performances within the upcoming three race weekends, there are few choices left for 2026 apart from Racing Bulls. The second Alpine seat remains to be vacant, however that looks like an extended shot. A reserve function at Aston Martin – which is able to develop into Honda's engine associate – seems extra believable in that situation, though Tsunoda's first precedence stays to remain on the Purple Bull household and safe a spot on the grid there, even when meaning on the sister group.
A key consider that is Honda's help. The Japanese producer is leaving Purple Bull after this season, although it may proceed as Tsunoda's private sponsor. This may enhance Tsunoda's probabilities of a Racing Bulls seat and maintain him in F1, which has advantages for Honda as properly, in case a possibility at a Honda-powered group (Aston Martin) would possibly come up afterward in his profession.
2026 an excellent second for Hadjar to make the transfer?
Hadjar, for his half, has already acknowledged that he doesn't wish to be promoted throughout this season, though Purple Bull isn't planning one other driver change both. The Frenchman sees the introduction of the brand new rules in 2026 as the proper second to step up, believing the issues of Purple Bull's second seat will disappear. In Hadjar's view, the philosophy of the automobile shall be much less tailor-made to 1 driver, though Tsunoda gave nuance to that in the course of the media day in Baku: “I would not say this automobile is constructed for Max. He simply drove this automobile for a very long time, and he is an unbelievable driver. Secondly, he is aware of what he can ship from every set-up, which is sweet as properly.”
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Helmut Marko, Purple Bull Racing, Zak Brown, McLaren
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Components 1 through Getty Pictures
For Hadjar, that may stay a problem subsequent 12 months if he's promoted, although he's assured he can succeed.
“2026 is a special query as a result of it is a brand-new begin for the group. There will not be this discuss of the second automobile factor. This would not be a factor, as a result of it is a brand-new automobile for everybody.” Requested at Monza whether or not that makes promotion to Purple Bull simpler, he replied: “Means simpler.”
