Tsunoda's future is already known? 'The dye is cast'

Speaking on Sky Sports The F1 Show podcast, Kravitz argued Yuki Tsunoda was basically driving to keep himself within the Red Bull family, not in the Red Bull Racing team per se: "We think that the die is already cast in terms of Isaac Hadjar will be Max Verstappen's teammate next year."

The British journalist then theorised about a potential doubt that may exist within Red Bull still with regard to whether Tsunoda is a Red Bull driver or a Honda driver.

"Is Yuki Red Bull's guy or is he Honda's guy?;" Kravitz asked. "Christian Horner and [Helmut] Marko (Red Bull's chief advisor, ed.), always kind of felt that Yuki was linked to Honda."

On her part, Chadwick did not want to overlook the elephant in the room Isack Hadjar's rookie season has been.

"You have to look at Isack Hadjar. As a season goes and, in my opinion, he's been stronger and he's come in as a rookie," she said.

"They've got to start really taking him seriously and having a look at him. In my opinion, Isaac's performed at the highest level of one of those sort of second team drivers, so to speak," she added.

When it came the time to issue their predictions, Kravitz stated a demotion to Racing Bulls was in the cards for Tsunoda. "It'll be [Liam] Lawson - Tsunoda in the Racing Bulls."

In Chadwick's mind, Tsunoda's had his shot at both Red Bull owned teams and his time at both racing stables have passed. "[At] Red Bull, Max and Isack [for 2026]. Racing Bulls, Liam and [Leo] Fornaroli (F2 championship contender, ed.)"

The only Red Bull driver who is assured of a drive next year is Max Verstappen, who will evidently continue his F1 career at Red Bull Racing.

Although Marko did confirm Hadjar would indeed continue within the Red Bull family, he did nuanced that the 'where part' was still to be defined.

As far as Liam Lawson and Tsunoda goes, they are yet to secure their seats for the upcoming Formula One campaign. GPblog understands that no decision has yet been made in terms of the remaining three seats.

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