Red Bull shook up the Formula One world on Tuesday with news that 21-year-old French talent Isack Hadjar will take the coveted seat next to Max Verstappen next season.
After a year of impressive growth at Racing Bulls, the energetic newcomer now finds himself promoted to the team that has dominated the sport for years.
The Rookie Who Didn’t Waste a Single Opportunity
Hadjar may be young, but he hasn’t arrived here by accident.
In his rookie season with Red Bull’s junior outfit, he quietly stacked up ten top-ten finishes, then truly announced himself by grabbing a surprise podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Turning 21 only a few months ago, he has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects on the grid.
Tsunoda Moves Aside, but Stays in the Red Bull Fold
His promotion means that Yuki Tsunoda will step out of the race seat and into a test and reserve driver role.
The Japanese driver, part of the Red Bull system since 2019, has raced more than 100 Grands Prix but has yet to stand on the podium — a detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed as Verstappen’s teammates continue to struggle to match the champion’s pace.
Despite his low points total this season — just 33 compared with Verstappen’s staggering 396 — Tsunoda remains one of the most liked personalities in the paddock.
Hadjar Feels the Weight and the Wonder of the Moment
For Hadjar, the call-up was emotional.
He admitted that years of ups and downs made this milestone feel especially sweet.
“It’s such a great reward after all the work since joining the junior programme,” he shared, clearly still taking in the reality of partnering a four-time world champion.
Learning from Verstappen, he said, is something he’s eager — and admittedly a bit awestruck — to begin.
Red Bull’s Search for Verstappen’s Perfect Partner Continues
The team has long battled the seemingly impossible task of finding someone who can deliver consistent support alongside Verstappen.
After parting ways with Sergio Pérez at the end of last season, Red Bull opened 2025 with Liam Lawson, only to replace him after two races with Tsunoda.
Now the door opens for Hadjar — and hopes are high that he might bring some long-needed stability.
A Gracious Goodbye, Not a Farewell, for Tsunoda
Team principal Laurent Mekies offered warm praise for Tsunoda, calling him a “special part of the Red Bull family” and emphasising how valued he remains inside the organisation.
Mekies made it clear that Yuki’s role in upcoming 2026 development projects will be just as important, even if he’s no longer racing on Sundays.
Lawson Remains in the Picture — and Gains a New Young Partner
Meanwhile, Liam Lawson will continue with the Racing Bulls squad next season, where he will be partnered with Arvid Lindblad, a rapidly rising name who only turned 18 in August.
Lindblad, born in England to Swedish and British-Indian parents, has already shown eye-catching pace, earning his FIA Super Licence at 17 and getting a taste of F1 machinery in Mexico City earlier this year.
During that test, he delivered a stunning sixth-fastest time in Verstappen’s own car — a clear hint of the raw speed he brings.
Racing Bulls Double Down on the Youth Revolution
Racing Bulls explained their choice with confidence, saying Lindblad has displayed “raw speed, maturity and potential” — traits the team believes will drive their next wave of young talent.
With both Lawson and Lindblad in their line-up, Red Bull’s junior programme looks more stacked than it has in years.
A Bold Shuffle Sets the Stage for 2026 and Beyond
With Hadjar promoted, Tsunoda shifting roles, Lawson staying put, and Lindblad stepping into F1’s spotlight, the Red Bull family has reshaped its future in one dramatic announcement.
For Hadjar, the next chapter begins now. For Tsunoda, the story isn’t over.
And for Red Bull, the eternal hunt for the ideal Verstappen teammate takes on a daring new twist.
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