Ralf Schumacher believes that Pink Bull’s driver line-up for 2026 will depart Yuki Tsunoda and not using a seat because the Milton Keynes outfit is anticipated to advertise Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar to the seat alongside Max Verstappen.
With the vast majority of the 2026 grid already confirmed, solely Pink Bull and its sister outfit are but to substantiate their line-ups forward of Formulation 1’s substantial regulation change. Verstappen, at present preventing for his fifth championship win, is beneath contract till the tip of 2028, however his colleagues Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Hadjar, and Pink Bull junior Arvid Lindblad are every vying for his or her locations within the power drinks group.
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Schumacher, a six-time race winner and brother of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, has revealed what he predicts Pink Bull will do with its pool of drivers.
“I feel it is fairly clear what is going to occur with Tsunoda,” he instructed Sky Germany, hinting that the Japanese driver will probably be dropped by the squad. “No less than, that is what I assume, as a result of it is apparent that nothing was getting into any route. Lawson was fortunate in his misfortune that he was allowed to return again, stabilised himself, and simply made it by means of,” he mentioned.
Lawson started his 2025 marketing campaign as team-mate to Verstappen, however was rapidly dropped after poor efficiency over the primary two race weekends. The New Zealander was changed by Tsunoda, however the sister group stalwart additionally wasn’t in a position to extract the anticipated efficiency from the RB21.
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Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull Racing Group
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull Racing Group
Fortuitously for Lawson, his time within the sister group has since been mildly profitable, with him sitting forward of the Japanese driver within the standings by eight factors.
“And I’ve to say, he’ll have the possibility to proceed. I am fairly positive of that, since you want a dependable driver within the group, one who is aware of the group, as a result of all the things will probably be new subsequent yr, after all.
“Which means, very importantly, Tsunoda out, Hadjar over and Lindblad right here.”
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Hadjar is broadly anticipated to be promoted to Pink Bull to accomplice with the reigning champion, particularly following his seemingly assured manner to date this weekend.
“I can have the worst weekend in historical past,” he mentioned. “Now, it isn’t going to vary something.”
Whereas Pink Bull administration insists a choice is but to be made on the matter, a remaining determination is anticipated to be revealed because the season involves an finish.
Images from Qatar GP – PracticeOscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams
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Rio Ferdinand arrives within the Paddock
Rio Ferdinand arrives within the Paddock
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
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Zak Brown, McLaren
Zak Brown, McLaren
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Companion of Aston Martin F1 walks within the Paddock
Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Companion of Aston Martin F1 walks within the Paddock
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group, Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Group
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group
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Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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