Jonas LeoThe decision to elevate Isack Hadjar to the pinnacle of motorsport with Red Bull Racing marks a pivotal moment in the young Frenchman’s burgeoning career. Hadjar, currently the 2024 Formula 2 runner-up, has been a standout performer within the demanding Red Bull Junior Team program. His strong rookie campaign in F2 has been punctuated by notable achievements, including a breakthrough podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix and a brace of sixth-place finishes, demonstrating consistent pace and a keen understanding of race craft. Crucially, Hadjar has reportedly held the measure of his highly-regarded teammate, Liam Lawson, in qualifying sessions throughout their shared F2 tenure, a key metric closely observed by Red Bull’s talent scouts. His rapid progression and demonstrated raw speed have convinced the Red Bull hierarchy that he possesses the attributes necessary to thrive alongside a driver of Max Verstappen’s calibre.
Speaking on his monumental promotion, Hadjar expressed profound gratitude: "I am incredibly grateful to Red Bull for giving me this immense opportunity and for their trust in me to compete at the highest level of Formula 1. All the hard work I’ve poured in since joining the Junior Team feels incredibly rewarded. My career has seen its share of ups and downs, but their unwavering belief and constant pushing have been instrumental." He further reflected on his development: "This year with Racing Bulls [in F2, or projected F1 2025] has been absolutely amazing; I’ve learned a tremendous amount and secured a maiden podium. I feel I’ve grown significantly as a racing driver and as a person, thanks to the team’s support and preparation. I feel ready for Red Bull, and I am happy and proud that they share that sentiment. It’s an awesome move, and I cannot wait to work with the best and learn from Max."
Laurent Mekies, who previously served as Team Principal for Racing Bulls before his current role as Red Bull Racing’s team boss, underlined Hadjar’s potential. "For Isack, in his first F1 season [referring to his anticipated F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025], he has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track! 2026 will be a huge challenge for the team and for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, these are exciting times, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together.” This statement from Mekies further clarifies the implied trajectory: Hadjar is expected to make his F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, and his confirmed 2026 Red Bull seat is a testament to the faith placed in his anticipated performance in that intermediate year, coupled with his strong F2 results.
The appointment of Hadjar means Yuki Tsunoda, a long-standing member of the Red Bull driver family, will step aside from a race seat. Tsunoda, 25, has accumulated five seasons in Formula 1, with four spent at Red Bull’s sister squad (formerly AlphaTauri, now Racing Bulls). His current 2024 season saw him promoted to the main Red Bull team from round three, an opportunity many saw as his ultimate chance to cement a long-term future. However, his performance has not matched the expectations, having scored just 30 points to sit 15th in the drivers’ standings, significantly behind his teammate Max Verstappen, who is in robust title contention. For 2026, Tsunoda will transition into a crucial reserve driver role for Red Bull, a position that demands extensive simulator work, development duties, and readiness to step in should a primary driver be unavailable. While a setback from a full-time racing perspective, this role keeps him within the Red Bull ecosystem, potentially opening doors for future opportunities or a move to another team seeking an experienced driver.
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The reshuffle also sees a fresh, youthful lineup at Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls. Liam Lawson, who has already impressed with his F1 cameos, will remain with Racing Bulls for what is slated to be his first full campaign with the outfit in 2026. This confirmation provides stability for the New Zealander, who has been widely regarded as one of the most F1-ready talents within the Red Bull program. Lawson’s opportunity for a full season comes after a period where his F1 future seemed uncertain, despite strong performances, including his stand-in appearances for AlphaTauri in 2023. The article notes he "started the 2025 season with a short-lived Red Bull stint," which, if not a typo, could imply a brief reserve or test role with the main team before his full-time Racing Bulls drive.
Joining Lawson at Racing Bulls will be the highly-rated 18-year-old British prodigy, Arvid Lindblad. Lindblad’s ascent through the Red Bull development program has been exceptionally rapid. He is currently navigating his maiden Formula 2 campaign in 2024, where he is on course to finish an impressive sixth in the standings, a remarkable feat for a rookie. His talent has already been recognized with two practice sessions for Red Bull this year, allowing him to gain valuable experience in current-generation F1 machinery.
Lindblad shared his excitement: "I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB [Racing Bulls] for this incredible opportunity. Since I started this journey at five years old, my goal was always to reach Formula 1, so this is an immensely proud moment. I’m extremely grateful to the Red Bull Junior Programme and my personal team for their guidance, mentorship, and belief; none of this would have been possible without their support. 2026 will be a significant challenge, and I know there’s a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can’t wait to get started; it’s going to be an exciting year."
Alan Permane, Team Principal of Racing Bulls, lauded the new lineup. "Firstly, a huge congratulations to Isack. He has delivered a truly outstanding season, demonstrating exceptional race-craft and consistency well beyond his experience. He has fully earned his step up to Red Bull Racing, and we wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this exciting new challenge in his career – we are proud to have been part of the journey. Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year; he has excelled when conditions have been at their hardest, and we look forward to building on this in 2026, while Arvid’s rapid progression marks him as one of the standout young talents in the sport. Together, they form a strong and dynamic pairing, one that embodies the ambition and youthful spirit of VCARB as we enter a transformative new era for Formula 1.”
The 2026 season is poised to introduce a new era of Formula 1 regulations, particularly concerning power units and chassis design. Red Bull Racing, through its newly established Red Bull Ford Powertrains division, will be developing its own engines for the first time. This complete overhaul presents a unique strategic window for teams to reset and build for the future. By bringing in young, hungry talent like Hadjar and Lindblad, Red Bull is clearly aligning its driver strategy with this long-term vision, ensuring a fresh generation of academy graduates are in place as the sport undergoes significant change. This move underscores Red Bull’s enduring commitment to its robust junior program, which has historically been a critical pipeline for nurturing future champions. The new driver pairings at both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls signal a bold, forward-looking approach as the sport prepares for its next chapter.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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