Liam Lawson anticipates a Red Bull promotion for his Racing Bulls colleague, Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman surprised the entire paddock with his podium finish in Zandvoort and has since been the favorite to potentially replace Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen‘s teammate in 2026. According to Lawson, Hadjar is already prepared for a potential Red Bull move: ‘Isack is doing everything right at the moment.’
After two race weekends, it was over for Liam Lawson at Red Bull in 2025. The New Zealander was unable to secure valuable World Championship points for the Austrians and therefore had to give up his spot to Yuki Tsunoda before the GP Japan. However, the Japanese driver is also struggling with the RB21, and has only finished in the top ten in four of his fourteen races for Red Bull. Rumors about Tsunoda’s future are therefore already circulating, and the name of Isack Hadjar is increasingly mentioned as a potential new teammate for Max Verstappen.
Hadjar Ready for Red Bull Promotion
Lawson, at least, believes that Hadjar is ready for a promotion to Red Bull. “He has really done well this year,” says the Racing Bulls driver in Monza. “To achieve a podium this year is quite impressive. I think many drivers already feel ready for the next step. Isack is doing everything right at the moment.” Although the Red Bull car for 2026 is still one big question mark, Lawson sees how Hadjar as a driver is completely ready to step in with the Austrians.
If Hadjar indeed becomes Max Verstappen‘s new teammate, the chance for Lawson to return to Red Bull is at least temporarily lost. The New Zealander himself says he is not too concerned with his future in Formula 1. “I just try to get the most out of every race weekend,” Lawson reveals. “It’s unclear to me when the decisions (about 2026) will be made, so I’m focusing on the remaining races of the season. A lot can still happen. My main goal is to stay in Formula 1.”
