Isack Hadjar says he has the best timing he could have wished for to move on to Red Bull, thanks to the new regulations being introduced in 2026.
Red Bull opted to drop Yuki Tsunoda at the end of 2025 and promoted Hadjar after an impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls. While the second seat next to Max Verstappen has been a difficult opportunity for several drivers over the past 18 months – including Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez – Hadjar says the timing of his move reduces some of the challenges faced by his predecessors.
“To get to Red Bull, I had to do my best here [at Racing Bulls]”Not much attention was paid to what the big boys were doing.”
“But now the focus is clearly changing and I can’t wait to get to MK (Milton Keynes) and work with the boys through January and February. It won’t be fun, but I believe I will make a difference there because the car is not built yet. And there is one tool: the sim. So there is a lot to do. I can give myself more holidays, but what’s the point?
“It’s by far the best timing. It’s a new car. It’s not like Max knows the car, right? It’s all starting from scratch. I feel very happy with the way I’m coming to Red Bull. It will be very useful, and if the car needs to go one way, then I’ll be here too. And maybe it’s because of my input. So I’m excited.”
The Frenchman has already indicated that he will have to temper his own expectations next season alongside Verstappen, but he also hopes that the environment will allow him to learn from the four-time world champion so early in his career.
“To be honest, I think I’m very lucky to arrive, I would say, in better conditions,” he said. “Laurent [Mekies, team principal] there will be. I’ve worked with him before, so very familiar faces. Honestly, I’m excited.
“[Success would be] fighting for wins and being there every weekend. To be the first driver in a while to really do a great job next to Max…
“It’s hard to realize. It’s not just Red Bull, but it’s just being teammates with Max. I’m so grateful because I’m only 21 and I get to see what the highest level in the world is at such a young age. I’m very lucky.”
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