Tue Dec 02 15:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Red Bull to Announce 2026 F1 Driver Lineup, Tsunoda Expected to Be Replaced

[City, State] – Red Bull Racing is set to announce its driver lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season on Tuesday, with sources indicating a significant shakeup. According to reports, Yuki Tsunoda is expected to be replaced at Red Bull Racing by Isack Hadjar.

Team Principal Laurent Mekies remained tight-lipped about the specific details but confirmed that the team would stick to its plan. “All I can tell you is that we will, in fact, stick to our plan, and we will announce on Tuesday what’s the driver line-up,” Mekies said when asked about the decision. “We are confident it will not disturb the focus in Abu Dhabi.”

While Max Verstappen is heading to the Abu Dhabi finale in contention for the championship, Tsunoda’s performance has been under scrutiny. Despite showing flashes of speed and occasionally matching Verstappen’s pace, the Japanese driver has struggled for consistency this season.

Tsunoda, however, believes he has demonstrated his abilities, pointing to recent improvements and his support for Verstappen’s championship bid. “I think I’m showing what I can do,” he stated after the Qatar Grand Prix. “It’s just a matter of now trying to help Max the next race.”

The future for Tsunoda is uncertain, with options ranging from a return to the sister Racing Bulls team, a reserve driver role, or a complete departure from the Red Bull program. Liam Lawson, who was briefly Verstappen’s teammate at the start of 2025, is also in contention for a seat with Racing Bulls, with Arvid Lindblad also under consideration.

Mekies emphasized the importance of Tsunoda’s performance in Abu Dhabi, highlighting his potential role in securing crucial points for Verstappen’s championship challenge. “It could be down to the last point, so it could be mega important,” he said. “It will be super important to have Yuki at 100%.”

The official announcement on Tuesday is highly anticipated and will clarify the driver lineup for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls as teams gear up for the 2026 season.

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