Isack Hadjar is brimming with excitement following the confirmation that he will be moving to Red Bull in 2026. The young Parisian, who will be starting his second Formula 1 season next year, will become Max Verstappen‘s teammate. This is a significant leap for the young driver, who made a strong impression during his debut season with Racing Bulls. Laurent Mekies believes that Hadjar can thrive at Red Bull and has awarded him Yuki Tsunoda‘s seat.
Hadjar expressed how special it is for him that Red Bull has given him this opportunity: “I am so grateful to Red Bull for giving me the chance and the confidence to race at the highest level,” he said in an official press release. For the 21-year-old driver, the promotion feels like a recompense for years of hard work within the talent program. “After all the hard work I’ve put in since joining the Junior Team, this is a fantastic reward. I’ve had many ups and downs in my career, but the team always believed in me.”
The season with Racing Bulls was a crucial learning year for Hadjar. However, thanks to a podium finish at the Dutch GP in Zandvoort, he was able to make a strong impression. “This year with Racing Bulls was absolutely amazing,” he continued. “I learned a lot and even achieved my first podium finish; I feel much better as a driver and as a person, thanks to the support and preparation from the team. I feel ready to go to Red Bull, and I am happy and proud that they feel the same way. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with the best, and I can’t wait to learn from Max.”
A Magical Duo?
Team boss Laurent Mekies emphasized that Red Bull is primarily impressed by how quickly Hadjar has adapted to Formula 1. “In his first Formula 1 season, he has shown great maturity and proven that he learns quickly,” the Frenchman added. “Most importantly, he has demonstrated pure speed, the primary requirement in this sport. We believe that Isack can thrive alongside Max and that they can together create magic.”
Skeptics want to first see what Isack Hadjar can do alongside Max Verstappen. The French-Algerian driver has been touted all year as the likely replacement for Yuki Tsunoda, but according to experts, this is not necessarily a good next step. Several top drivers have already fallen victim to the supremacy of Max Verstappen, including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Pérez. The four-time world champion will have gone through four teammates in three seasons.
