Max Verstappen appears set to acquire another new teammate at Red Bull, as Yuki Tsunoda seems poised to be released at the end of this season.
Tsunoda was drafted in to replace another one of Verstappen’s teammates, Liam Lawson, just two races into this season. The Japanese driver has struggled, like many others, to get to grips with the difficult Red Bull car.
The second seat at Red Bull has been a revolving door of drivers ever since Daniel Riccardo left the team in 2018; the likes of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez have all joined and been dropped by the Milton Keynes team in recent times.
Tsunoda looks set to join the list of drivers that have had their careers derailed by going to Red Bull, as reports reveal that he will be replaced by Racing Bulls youngster Isack Hadjar. The rookie has impressed in his debut season in racing’s top flight.
Yuki Tsunoda appears to be on his way out of Red Bull
|REUTERS
Hadjar had a difficult start to life after crashing out of the Australian Grand Prix on his debut, but has progressed immensely throughout the season, culminating in an extraordinary podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Hadjar’s teammate Lawson, revealed earlier this season that he thinks his young teammate is “ready” for a shot at the Red Bull seat.
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He said: “It depends on what position the car is in next year, how it is to drive.
“That’s probably the biggest thing about that seat right now. So there are a lot of variables there.
“As a driver, he's ready. If you're ready to be in F1 in the first place, I think you'd be ready for that kind of position.”
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Isack Hadjar scored a surprising podium at the Dutch Grand Prix
|REUTERS
The report from Auto Motor und Sport also claims that F2 starlet Arvid Lindblad is most likely to replace Hadjar at Racing Bulls.
Lindblad has been widely tipped to be the next big British star in F1, having won races on his pathway to the top, and currently sits seventh in the F2 drivers' standings.
The youngster drove for Red Bull in Free Practice 1 for the British Grand Prix earlier this year and has gained significant praise from Helmut Marko.
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The 82-year-old said, “We think the teenager did a great job, His speed was right, his statements were profound and the technicians are very happy with his performance.
“Lindblad was back in the car the week after the British Grand Prix and completed more than 100 laps, showing excellent physical condition and competitive lap times.”
Arvid Lindblad looks set to take Isack Hadjar's place at Racing Bulls
|GETTY
Tsunoda will be hoping he can use the remaining races of the season to turn his fortunes around, but Hadjar’s podium in Zandvoort managed to score more points in one race than both Lawson and Tsunoda have scored in the second Red Bull seat combined this season.
Tsunoda will take on the streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend with his role within Formula 1 on the line if he cannot find a way to improve his performance.