Red Bull delays Tsunoda decision Crawford named Aston Martin reserve

Red Bull has postponed a final decision on Yuki Tsunoda's place in its 2026 driver lineup until after the end of the season, while an expected alternate pathway for the Japanese driver narrowed this week when Aston Martin confirmed Jak Crawford as its third driver for 2026. The announcements leave Tsunoda, who finished 11th at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, still in contention for a seat but without a confirmed backup plan.

Dr Helmut Marko said the team has pushed its driver selection back because Red Bull wants to keep its full focus on the championship battle and avoid distraction. He said the decision will be taken after the remaining races, possibly in Doha or Abu Dhabi. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has also said no final call has been made and that the team is concentrating on the title fight. Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors standings, separated from Mercedes and Ferrari by single-digit margins, a factor the team cited in its decision to defer changes.

Tsunoda described the Mexican weekend as promising but ultimately thwarted by team strategy and a slow pit stop that cost him track position. Starting 10th after a grid penalty for another driver, he...