Red Bull F1 confirm Isack Hadjar to partner Max Verstappen in 2026

Red Bull Racing have announced that Isack Hadjar will drive for the team in 2026, with the French driver partnering Max Verstappen.

The 21-year-old will replace Yuki Tsunoda in the Milton Keynes-based Red Bull team’s driver line-up after the end of the 2025 season, with the promotion coming after a single season driving for Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls.

Tsunoda will spend 2026 as Red Bull’s test and reserve driver, with Red Bull’s second team Racing Bulls confirming that they will have a new line-up of existing driver Liam Lawson and teenage rookie Arvid Lindblad, with the 18-year-old British driver set to compete in F1 for the first time next year.

The shake-up comes after a difficult time for Tsunoda in Red Bull’s second seat. The Japanese driver replaced Lawson as Verstappen’s teammate after the first two rounds of the season, but has only scored 30 points compared to teammate Verstappen’s 360 in the same period.

Hadjar’s promotion comes ahead of a new era in F1 in 2026, with the sport facing major upheaval through a change to the sport’s technical regulations that include changes to the car engine and aero designs. Red Bull will be one of the teams making a big change, with the team using their own bespoke Red Bull Powertrains in collaboration with Ford after the end of their relationship with Honda.

With one round remaining of the 2025 F1 season, Hadjar currently sits 10th in F1’s Driver’s Championship in his rookie season after scoring 51 points. He has also taken his first F1 podium, which he achieved after finishing third in the Dutch Grand Prix in the first race after F1’s summer break.

In a statement, Hadjar said, “I’m so grateful to Oracle Red Bull Racing for giving me the opportunity and trust to race at the highest level of Formula One. After all the hard work I have put in since joining the Junior Team, it’s such a great reward. I’ve had many ups and downs throughout my career, and they kept believing and pushing me.

“This year with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has been absolutely amazing, I’ve learnt a lot and secured a maiden podium. I feel I’m much better as a racing driver and a person, due to the Team‘s support and preparation. I feel ready to go to Oracle Red Bull Racing and I am happy and proud they feel the same. It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for.”

Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Laurent Mekies said he was looking forward to working with Hadjar in 2026, having previously worked with him in his role with Racing Bulls before taking over at Red Bull in July.

He said, “In his first F1 season, he has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track! 2026 will be a huge challenge for the Team and for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, these are exciting times, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together.”

Mekies also moved to praise Tsunoda for his contribution to both Red Bull teams, with the 25-year-old having driven for Red Bull’s two teams in his 5 years in Formula One.

He said, “Yuki has raced in Red Bull colours for seven years now and I have had the pleasure of working with him at both Red Bull teams. Through his five seasons so far in Formula One, Yuki has matured into a complete racer, good over a single lap on Saturday and capable of exceptional starts and excellent race craft on Sunday. Everyone in the sport would agree it is impossible not to like Yuki, his personality is infectious, and he has become a very special part of the Red Bull family. On behalf of everyone at Red Bull, I thank him for what he has contributed so far and we know he will provide invaluable support to the 2026 projects moving forwards.”