Red Bull extends Hadjar for 2027 F1 season

Red Bull has officially retained Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen's team-mate for the 2027 Formula 1 season, announcing the extension as the Frenchman returned from a wrist injury at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The decision caps a strong first full season in which he emerged as Verstappen's most competitive team-mate since Daniel Ricciardo.

Why it matters:

Hadjar has scored 71 points to Verstappen's 145 across three more rounds, including a Monaco podium that was briefly taken away and then reinstated after a long appeals process. With the 2026 regulation reset reshaping the grid, Red Bull is securing a driver who has adapted quickly to the new cars and power units.

The details:

• Team boss Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar's performances on and off track, calling the extension an easy decision given it's only his second F1 season.
• Hadjar missed three rounds with a wrist fracture, and the announcement was timed to coincide with his return in Baku.
• Strong stand-in: Liam Lawson has impressed while replacing Hadjar at Racing Bulls, making the second seat there a key battle.

What's next:

Attention now turns to Racing Bulls, where rookie Arvid Lindblad is virtually certain to remain. Lawson's strong season and stand-in performances make him the favourite to keep the other seat, while F2 title contender Nikola Tsolov waits for an F1 opportunity.