Isack Hadjar Dominates Desert Race in Ford-Powered Car

Isack Hadjar, a Red Bull junior driver, kicked off his Formula 2 season with a dominant victory in the Bahrain feature race, showcasing impressive pace and race craft. The win marks a significant statement for the young Frenchman as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Max Verstappen and secure a future seat in Formula 1.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's victory is more than just a season opener win; it's a strong signal of his potential to ascend to Formula 1. For Red Bull, it's a timely boost for their driver academy and arrives alongside the buzz of their new partnership with Ford, highlighting the strength of their talent pipeline as they prepare for the 2026 engine regulations.

The details:

• Commanding Performance: Hadjar started from pole position and controlled the race from the front, managing tire degradation effectively on the demanding Bahrain International Circuit.
• Holding Off the Field: He fended off challenges from experienced F2 contenders to secure his first feature race win in the category, demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
• The Ford Connection: While his Campos Racing car is powered by a Mecachrome engine, the win has symbolic weight for Red Bull's new Ford partnership. Hadjar is part of the driver pool that could benefit from the Ford-Red Bull power unit in the future, making his success a positive narrative for the American brand's F1 return.
• Red Bull Junior Momentum: The victory adds to a growing sense of momentum within the Red Bull junior program, which has been the most successful driver pipeline in modern F1.

What's next:

Hadjar will look to build on this momentum in the upcoming F2 rounds in Saudi Arabia, aiming for consistency to challenge for the championship this season. His performance will be closely watched by the Red Bull management as they evaluate their young talent for potential future F1 seats, particularly with the Visa Cash App RB team serving as a direct pathway. The Ford-Red Bull collaboration continues to develop, with all eyes on 2026 when this new generation of drivers could be piloting cars powered by the American manufacturer.