Lawson Endorses Hadjar for Red Bull in 2026: 'He's Ready'

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has publicly endorsed his teammate Isack Hadjar as ready to step up to Red Bull Racing, potentially as early as 2026, following the French rookie's impressive debut season and maiden F1 podium.

Why it matters:

• This marks a striking display of sportsmanship and a rare public backing from one driver for a teammate's promotion to a top-tier seat.
• It intensifies the speculation surrounding Red Bull's driver lineup for the critical 2026 season, which will introduce sweeping new technical regulations.

The big picture:

• Hadjar has made significant waves in his debut Formula 1 season, widely regarded as a standout rookie.
• He solidified his reputation with a maiden F1 podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, placing him among an elite group to achieve such a result with Red Bull's junior team.
• His consistent outperformance of Lawson since the latter’s return to Racing Bulls has fueled discussions about him partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing in 2026, especially amid ongoing challenges for current driver Yuki Tsunoda.

What Lawson said:

• Speaking at Monza, Lawson was unequivocal in his assessment of Hadjar’s readiness.
• "He's done a very good job this year," commented the Kiwi. "To have a podium this season is pretty spectacular. He's doing a really great job."
• Lawson highlighted Hadjar’s preparedness, noting the unique circumstances of the 2026 regulation changes, which could favor adaptable drivers.
• "As a driver, he's ready. If you're ready to be in F1 in the first place, I think you'd be ready for that kind of position," Lawson added.

Red Bull's stance:

• Racing Bulls Team Principal Laurent Mekies emphasized at Monza that the team is in no rush to finalize its 2026 lineup, citing a robust driver program.
• Mekies also confirmed no changes to the current lineup for the remainder of the 2025 season, expressing satisfaction with Tsunoda’s recent progress, including his first points after seven races and best qualifying with the team at Spa.
• He acknowledged Hadjar’s remarkable development, describing his recent performances as a "fantastic demonstration of the progress he has been doing during the season," but reiterated the team’s relaxed approach to driver decisions.

What's next:

• While Lawson and Hadjar remain focused on Racing Bulls, the conversation around Red Bull's 2026 line-up is only intensifying.
• All eyes will be on how Hadjar continues to perform and Red Bull's strategic moves as the 2026 regulation changes draw closer.