Title permutations were the focus of much of the weekend in Qatar as Formula 1 closes in on the end of the 2025 season, but there were also developments when it comes to the 2026 driver picture and the rules of racing. Plus the latest team principal – who is not actually yet team principal – was present after an announcement that provoked as many questions as answers.

Hadjar can’t hide his excitement

The three seats that remain unconfirmed for 2026 are all Red Bull related, with the drive alongside Max Verstappen yet to be announced, as well as both at Racing Bulls. But a decision has certainly been made on one front, and it hasn’t been hard to pick up on the signs that those involved know.

For much of this year it has looked as if Isack Hadjar would be promoted to partner Verstappen, with Yuki Tsunoda struggling as Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez did before him over a combined period of the past 18 months. But Red Bull delayed final decisions as each driver kept showing glimpses of their potential, coupled with some difficult weekends.

Hadjar has been the most consistent, though, and with sources indicating he’d been informed of his promotion on Thursday in Qatar, the Frenchman was not exactly putting on his best poker face. An excited Hadjar kept reinforcing the fact he knew he would be on the grid in 2026 and where he would be driving, and confirmed a decision had been made.

Confirmation of Hadjar’s promotion is likely to come before Abu Dhabi, but it is not yet clear exactly who will be driving for Racing Bulls next year, and Red Bull had been keen to confirm all of the seats at the same time.

It is a decision between keeping Tsunoda within the set-up as an experienced option to benchmark Arvid Lindblad against, or sticking with Lawson, who has not had a full season at any one team yet. Lawson has delivered standout drives just when he’s looked on the way out, but not quite had the consistency to cement the seat, and Tsunoda still brings significant interest and backing from Japan.

Lindblad looks poised to step up to Racing Bulls either way, and this coming week could see all of the vacancies finalised ahead of what is likely to be the last start – for now – for one of the drivers next Sunday.

Driving Standards Guidelines meeting

One of the perpetual talking points among the drivers relates to stewarding decisions, and in particular the way racing incidents can be penalised. The biggest one of recent races was in Brazil, where Oscar Piastri‘s collision with Kimi Antonelli – and subsequent time penalty – largely saw opinions lean towards the guidelines not being correct for such an incident.

A meeting was held on Thursday in Qatar, featuring all of the drivers, team representatives, the Formula 1 stewards’ chairs and a number of stewards for 2026. An annual undertaking, it allowed a number of specific case studies – including that Piastri-Antonelli incident – to be analysed and discussed, with the FIA reiterating that the driving standards guidelines (DSG) are intended to be an ever-evolving document.

Speaking to one of the drivers after the meeting, that ran for nearly an hour and a half, they reiterated that it was a long discussion, but a very productive one in the way drivers could understand the different perspectives they all have. Multiple drivers wanted to give their opinions on each topic, and it helped show where there is a consensus and where there might need more influence from the FIA.

The one downside was the conclusion that there was “a clear preference for hearings to be held after the race when stewards believe not all relevant elements may be available during live running”. Sure, getting the decision right is the most important thing, but developing the system so the stewards can be empowered to usually make the right decisions in-race, like any other referee has to, should be the aim. Waiting hours to know the outcome of a race is not the answer.

Newey provides clarity, or confusion?

Depending on which way you view it, the announcement that Adrian Newey will be the Aston Martin team principal next year either provided clarity over the team’s leadership moving forward or opened the door for further changes.

The two schools of thought were on full display in the paddock, depending on who you spoke to, with Newey replacing Andy Cowell from 2026, but Cowell remaining with the team in a strategic capacity. That appeared to be the result of Newey having a shareholding and needing further empowerment to set the direction of the team in the best way he sees fit, a situation that would have undermined Cowell’s authority.

Given the fact that Newey left Red Bull at a time when the team was in great turmoil, and a breakdown in his relationship with Christian Horner was cited, it could be viewed as Newey also now being the one who has control over who else might be signed to senior positions. Effectively, it could allow Newey to block any move for Horner, with the CEO position now vacant.