Hadjar to Drive Iconic Red Bull RB7 at Historic French GP Event

Red Bull junior driver Isack Hadjar will trade his modern Formula 2 car for a legendary piece of F1 history, driving Sebastian Vettel's championship-winning 2011 Red Bull RB7 at the Kennol Grand Prix de France Historique next month. The 21-year-old Frenchman will participate in the event's Fast & Famous segment on May 9, sharing the Circuit Paul Ricard with a host of French F1 legends in a celebration of the nation's racing heritage.

Why it matters:

This event bridges generations, connecting a current Red Bull prospect with the team's dominant past and France's rich F1 history. For fans, it's a rare chance to see a modern star push a V8-era titan, highlighting the evolution of speed and engineering. For Hadjar, it's a symbolic homecoming, performing for local supporters while sharing a track with the drivers he grew up admiring.

The details:

• The Car & The Legacy: Hadjar will drive the Red Bull RB7, the car with which Sebastian Vettel secured his second world championship in 2011, winning 11 races that season.
• The Event: The demonstration will occur on Saturday, May 9, during the "Fast & Famous" segment of the Kennol Grand Prix de France Historique at Circuit Paul Ricard.
• Star-Studded Grid: Hadjar won't be alone. He'll share the track with French F1 icons including four-time world champion Alain Prost, René Arnoux, Jean Alesi, Olivier Panis, and Philippe Alliot.
• Event Scale: The historic meeting will feature nearly 225 vintage race cars, with over 60 being F1 machines spanning four decades, making Hadjar's run in the championship-winning RB7 a centerpiece.
• Driver's Perspective: Hadjar called it a "full circle moment," stating that driving the iconic car in front of a home crowd as a Red Bull Racing driver is "even more special."

What's next:

The demonstration serves as a powerful promotional moment for both Hadjar and Red Bull, reinforcing their ties to F1 history ahead of the crucial 2026 regulation changes. For French motorsport fans, the event is a key annual pilgrimage, and Hadjar's involvement this year adds a compelling link to the sport's current era, potentially drawing a broader audience to appreciate its historic roots.