Hadjar still pinching himself after Red Bull promotion

Red Bull's new signing Isack Hadjar admits he is "still pinching" himself after earning a promotion to the championship-winning team, following a solid rookie season with sister squad Racing Bulls. The 21-year-old Frenchman, now teammate to Max Verstappen, says the constant pressure to prove himself has been a lifelong training ground for this moment, as he adapts to life at F1's pinnacle.

Why it matters:

Red Bull has faced a well-documented challenge in finding a consistent, high-performing teammate for Max Verstappen. Hadjar's promotion represents the latest attempt to solve that puzzle from within the junior program. His early adaptation and mindset offer the first clues as to whether he can handle the immense pressure and extract performance from a top car, a role that has undone several predecessors.

The details:

• Hadjar described signing with Red Bull as a "big step" that provided a clear path, but immediately shifted the focus to delivering results, acknowledging the low odds of making it to F1's top tier.
• He reflected on a career built on constant pressure, stating he has never had a season where success was guaranteed or easy, which he believes has prepared him for this challenge.
• Early Season Form: After the first three rounds of the 2026 season, Hadjar sits 12th in the Drivers' Championship with four points. For context, teammate Max Verstappen is ninth with 12 points, indicating a competitive but learning-intensive start for the rookie.
• The mental adjustment is significant, with Hadjar calling it "weird" to realize he is working at one of the biggest teams on the grid.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Hadjar's development trajectory throughout the season, starting with the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. His performance relative to Verstappen and his ability to handle the pressure at a top team will be the ultimate test of whether this junior promotion can finally provide Red Bull with the stable, high-performing driver pairing it has long sought.