Hadjar admits doubts about Red Bull second seat before landing 2026 promotion
Summary
French‑Algerian rookie Isack Hadjar, who finished 12th with a podium for Racing Bulls in 2025, secured a Red Bull seat beside Max Verstappen for 2026, despite concerns over the team’s instability.
Isack Hadjar, the 21‑year‑old French‑Algerian rookie, said he was nervous about Red Bull’s second seat but always intended to impress and earn promotion. He debuted with Racing Bulls in 2025, finished 12th with 51 points and took a podium at Zandvoort, prompting Red Bull to pair him with Max Verstappen for 2026.
Why it matters:
- Red Bull needs a stable second driver to preserve Verstappen’s championship momentum; recent changes have cost consistency.
- Hadjar’s rapid rise shows a rookie can become a genuine challenger, reshaping the driver market.
The details:
- 2025 debut with Racing Bulls: 51 points, 12th overall and a maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- Red Bull’s recent second‑driver churn: Liam Lawson replaced Sergio Pérez in 2025 but lasted two races; Yuki Tsunoda finished the year before becoming reserve.
- Hadjar said early‑season pressure was high but he quickly found his rhythm, never feeling a three‑tenths gap to the front‑runners.
What's next:
- He will join Red Bull for pre‑season testing, learning the RB19’s performance envelope and integrating with engineers.
- If he repeats his rookie form, Hadjar could become a title challenger alongside Verstappen in the final year of current regulations.
Original Article :https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/isack-hadjar-admits-concern-over-weird-red-bu...