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Laurent Mekies believes that Arvid Lindblad’s FP1 performance in Mexico was strong enough to impress Red Bull’s senior management. Speaking to the media, including Sportskeeda, the Red Bull team principal praised the young rookie for executing his FP1 duties smoothly and without any mistakes.
Lindblad was the fastest among the ten rookie drivers who took part in the FP1 session at the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. He outpaced Yuki Tsunoda and finished just two-tenths shy of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren. Both Helmut Marko and Mekies were notably impressed with his composed and consistent performance. The 18-year-old had last driven the RB21 during the Silverstone GP weekend and described his development year as challenging in an exclusive conversation with Sportskeeda after his Mexican outing.
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Mekies highlighted that despite limited experience and the inherent restrictions of FP1 sessions, including limited tire sets and track time, Lindblad managed to showcase impressive pace and maturity. The Frenchman added that Red Bull is in no hurry to finalize its 2026 driver lineup, as the team wants to give its young drivers ample opportunity to prove their potential.
Asked by Sportskeeda for his thoughts on Lindblad’s FP1 outing, Laurent Mekies said:
“I think he did a great job. Its so difficult to step up in FP1, so difficult. You know, it's very different to test days, you don't have much tires, you don't have many laps. And he did just a very very, very good job. You know, you have seen all the time sheets by yourself, that he was very calm ad gave all the right feedbacks. He didn’t put a foot wrong, didn't break the car. So honestly, he has impressed us in the FP1. No, no, no question about that. And yeah, we look for what for the next time in the car .. at the end of the year.”
Asked when they plan to make a driver decision for 2026, he said:
“As we say, you know, as much as we accept that everyone would like us to decide is, who we are not in a rush. We take all the time we need, give these guys as many chances as they can have to demonstrate on trial do as the best.”
Laurent Mekies confirms that the 2026 Red Bull driver line-up decision will be announced before Abu Dhabi due to the title battle
Laurent Mekies revealed that Red Bull’s ongoing title battle is the main reason behind the delay in announcing their 2026 driver lineup. Sportskeeda understands that the Milton Keynes-based team initially planned to announce the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix but has now chosen to postpone them.
Mekies confirmed that the intensity of the championship fight has influenced the timing of the decision, as the team remains fully focused on the title chase. However, he assured that Red Bull’s 2026 driver lineup will be confirmed before the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Asked if the decision is being delayed due to the title battle and to make sure everyone within the team is focused, Laurent Mekies said:
“No, it's exactly as you say. And I think you are right in saying and you don't mention, but you are right in saying that it is also a focus element in our decisions to delay. We don't think we need the distraction now. But what is at stake is exactly what we described the parameters exactly is what we are looking enough, you know, we are we are free to choose what we think. We need to choose and therefore thats the only the reasons the only parameters as a one you mention.”
Asked if they could leave the decision for after Abu Dhabi, he said:
“No, it will be before.”
According to Sportskeeda sources, Isack Hadjar is the frontrunner to be promoted to Yuki Tsunoda’s seat in the Red Bull senior team. Arvid Lindblad also remains under consideration for a 2026 drive with Racing Bulls, while Liam Lawson’s future in the Red Bull setup is still uncertain. If Lindblad is not elevated to the main team, a possible Racing Bulls lineup could see Tsunoda and Lawson paired together.
However, Tsunoda’s position appears the most vulnerable at present, with no clarity on whether he will remain within the Red Bull camp next season. Since Laurent Mekies’ arrival, Tsunoda has shown improvements in pace and consistency, but his overall results still fall short compared to Max Verstappen, who remains locked in a fierce championship battle against the two McLaren drivers.
