Pink Bull Staff Principal Laurent Mekies has said that the squad will “take a bit extra time” earlier than deciding on their driver line-up for 2026, with the futures of Yuki Tsunoda and the Racing Bulls pairing but to be determined.
After a swap noticed Tsunoda swap locations with Liam Lawson following the opening two rounds of the season, the Japanese driver confronted some tough outings as he tailored to the RB21 however has gave the impression to be on a stronger run extra not too long ago.
Whereas he just missed out on points on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, Tsunoda’s efficiency throughout the weekend was praised by Mekies, who admitted {that a} gradual pit cease had impacted the 25-year-old’s probability of ending throughout the high 10.
“I feel Yuki had his greatest weekend in a very long time,” Mekies commented after the race. “We have now mentioned that a number of instances, however it’s true. He was very, very shut in Quali to Max [Verstappen]. I feel it was two-tenths in Q2.
“At present, the primary stint was very, very sturdy as nicely, two-tenths, three-tenths to Max, on the identical very lengthy first stint on the medium [tyre].
“Then after, honest sufficient, I feel it is on our facet, we left him out a bit longer as a result of there was a bonus for us to do this and we had a barely lengthy pit cease, so we killed a number of factors that he would have scored on advantage. After all, it is one of many the reason why we wish to take a bit extra time earlier than we decide on drivers.
“Yuki is making steps ahead, the opposite youngsters are making steps ahead as nicely, so now we have no purpose to hurry a call, so we’ll take a bit extra time.”
F2 driver Arvid Lindblad has been linked to a step as much as Components 1 with Racing Bulls in 2026 and, whereas Mekies spoke positiviely concerning the 18-year-old’s recent FP1 appearance in Mexico, the crew boss reiterated that the choice over subsequent 12 months’s drivers won’t be rushed.
“I feel he did an ideal job. It is so troublesome to step up in FP1, so troublesome,” mentioned Mekies. “It is very totally different to check days – you do not have a lot tyres, you do not have many laps, and he did simply an excellent job. You’ve gotten seen on the timesheets, however he was very calm, he gave all the fitting suggestions, did not put a foot flawed, did not break the automotive.
“So, actually, he has impressed us on that FP1, no query about that. And we look ahead to the subsequent time within the automotive, in direction of the top of the 12 months. To have a call, as we mentioned, as a lot as we settle for that everybody would love us to determine, the reality is we aren’t in a rush.
“We’ll take on a regular basis we want, give these guys as many possibilities as they’ll need to exhibit on observe who was the very best.”
Mekies went on to acknowledge the steadiness that’s required relating to the timing of deciding on a driver line-up, given the need to maintain everybody targeted on the top of the season while additionally recognising that these concerned must know their futures.
“You’re proper in saying that there’s additionally a spotlight ingredient in our determination to delay,” the Staff Principal conceded. “We do not want the distraction now. However what’s at stake is strictly what you described.
“The parameters are… we’re fortunate sufficient, we’re free to decide on, however we have to select, and subsequently, the one parameter is the one you talked about.”
And when requested if there was a risk of the choice not being made till after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Mekies added: “No, will probably be earlier than.”
