P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull told NOT to announce F1 driver lineup
Red Bull has been advised not to reveal their driver lineup for the 2026 season for both their main Formula 1 team and their junior squad, Racing Bulls. The decision has been delayed, with only Max Verstappen confirmed for the 2026 lineup. Helmut Marko and Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies aim to avoid distractions from Verstappen’s ongoing title fight. The final decision on the driver lineup is expected after the Qatar Grand Prix at the earliest, possibly not until the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Jacques Villeneuve has suggested holding off on announcing plans, particularly regarding rookie Isack Hadjar. F1 pundit Martin Brundle believes Hadjar might need more time in the junior team before joining Verstappen in the main team, especially given the upcoming 2026 regulations. Villeneuve supports delaying Hadjar’s confirmation until just before the next season begins to provide flexibility for any last-minute changes.
