A New Chapter in the Verstappen Era
Red Bull Racing, following a 2025 season marked by a close fight at the top and constant driver changes, has made a major strategic decision for the future: the young Frenchman Isack Hadjar will drive alongside the four-time world champion Max Verstappen starting in 2026. This announcement ends the suspense and confirms Red Bull’s commitment to relying on talent emerging from its own junior program.
Hadjar, just 20 years old, is being promoted after only one impressive season in Formula 1 with the sister team, Racing Bulls, replacing Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda. This promotion comes amidst a technical overhaul for the team, with the introduction of new regulations in 2026 and the production of Red Bull Ford Powertrains engines. Simultaneously, 18-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad is confirmed to join Racing Bulls for his F1 debut, ensuring the continuity of the junior program. This reshuffle illustrates the constant pressure for performance in top-tier motorsport, where even established drivers must continually prove their worth.
Isack Hadjar: The Rapid Rise of a Young Frenchman
Isack Hadjar’s promotion is not only the result of his potential but the recognition of concrete and solid performances throughout his rookie F1 season.
Performances That Speak Volumes
The 20-year-old, who is of Algerian descent, joined the Red Bull junior program in 2022. After finishing as runner-up in the F2 championship in 2024, his single season at Racing Bulls saw him gain significant momentum.
- The Dutch Podium: Hadjar made a strong impression by achieving his debut F1 podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- Drivers’ Standings: He currently sits in 10th place in the Drivers’ Championship, demonstrating a maturity and assurance rare for a rookie.
- Internal Duel Won: Significantly, Hadjar consistently outperformed his New Zealand teammate Liam Lawson, outscoring him and repeatedly out-qualifying him. Lawson will remain at Racing Bulls, but it is Hadjar who was deemed ready for the big leap.
In his statement, Hadjar expressed his gratitude, emphasizing that this promotion is a reward for his hard work and the unwavering trust Red Bull has placed in him despite the “ups and downs” of his junior career.
F1’s Hardest Seat
Hadjar is stepping into one of the most demanding seats in Formula 1. Red Bull’s recent history, since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, has been marked by a rapid succession of teammates for Verstappen (Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Pérez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda). None of them have come close to matching the Dutch champion’s level.
The team is notoriously built around Max Verstappen, and the difficulties faced by other drivers are often attributed to a car design specifically tailored to his unique driving style. The pressure on Hadjar will be twofold: adapting to a complex car and trying to deliver decent points, where his predecessors have failed.
Red Bull desperately needs a reliable second driver. Although Verstappen is an exceptional points generator (he is just 10 points off leader Lando Norris before the Abu Dhabi finale), his effort alone has not been enough: the team was beaten in the Constructors’ Championship last season and this year by McLaren, and currently sits third behind Mercedes. Team Principal Laurent Mekies expressed his confidence: “We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track.”
Consequences of the Decision: Tsunoda and the Next Generation
Hadjar’s promotion has direct repercussions for the other driver promoted mid-season and for the junior pipeline.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Reserve Role
Yuki Tsunoda, who was moved up to Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix to replace Liam Lawson (who had completed only two races with the team), will be retained as a test and reserve driver for 2026. The Japanese driver was considered to have underperformed by the team, having scored only 30 points since joining Red Bull and sitting in 15th place in the championship.
Despite significant upgrades to the car at Monza, which propelled Verstappen into title contention, Tsunoda has barely improved. This decision underscores the ruthless speed with which Red Bull evaluates its talents and does not tolerate stagnant performances, even when the world champion himself struggled to tame the car early in the season.
Arvid Lindblad Joins Racing Bulls
Hadjar’s ascent opens up a seat at Racing Bulls, which will be filled by the young British driver Arvid Lindblad, 18. Lindblad, with Swedish and Indian parents, is considered a highly promising talent and has been part of the Red Bull development program since 2021.
- Recent Track Record: He finished fourth in the F3 championship in 2024, won the Formula Regional Oceania championship this year, and is currently sixth in the F2 championship ahead of its conclusion in Abu Dhabi.
- F1 Experience: Lindblad has already run two F1 practice sessions for Red Bull, finishing sixth fastest in Mexico.
His move to Racing Bulls for his F1 debut in 2026 proves that Red Bull maintains a fast pace in the progression of its young prospects, ensuring a constant renewal of talent. Lindblad expressed his pride in fulfilling his childhood dream, acknowledging that 2026 will be a “big challenge” but stating he is ready to face it.
2026 Stakes: New Regulations and Homegrown Engines
The year 2026 marks a major turning point in Formula 1 with the introduction of new technical regulations, new chassis, and new power units.
Red Bull is preparing for a colossal challenge by producing its own engines (Red Bull Ford Powertrains) for the first time. This context of technical transformation makes Hadjar’s selection all the more audacious. The new era could redistribute the cards in terms of performance. Red Bull is betting on the dynamism and adaptability of the young Frenchman to navigate this transition period.
The team needs a teammate capable of extracting the most from the changes and providing solid development data to the engineers. If Hadjar manages to adapt quickly, he could become a valuable asset in the Constructors’ Championship battle, where Red Bull has recently shown weaknesses.
The Future is Youth at Red Bull
The confirmation of Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen’s teammate for 2026 is a strong signal from Red Bull: the team prioritizes the future and the raw potential of its pipeline over experience. The young Frenchman, with his determination and impressive rookie performances, has earned the most coveted, yet most difficult, seat on the grid.
While Yuki Tsunoda takes a reserve role after failing to meet expectations, and Arvid Lindblad makes his entry, Red Bull reaffirms its strategy of constant pressure on its drivers. The 2026 era, with its new engines and rules, promises to be exciting, and Isack Hadjar is now at the center of this new ambition, ready to take on the titanic challenge of driving alongside the undisputed master of Formula 1.
