Red Bull in testing between revolutions and the future: Hadjar and Iwasa take center stage
The 2025 Formula 1 season concluded with the Abu Dhabi post-season tests, a crucial opportunity to gather data and look ahead to the future. Oracle Red Bull Racing entrusted the program to Isack Hadjar and Ayumu Iwasa, who were the protagonists of an intense day full of technical insights, under the supervision of performance engineering head Ben Waterhouse.
Hadjar and Iwasa at work with the RB21
Isack Hadjar commented on his first laps as a Red Bull driver:
“It was fantastic to complete my first laps as an official Oracle Red Bull Racing driver. It’s great to know that I’ll be back in January and that I’ve already met and worked with other team members, after having met many during tests over the past two years. They welcomed me very well, and I already feel comfortable with this group. Obviously, this is a completely different car from the one I will drive in Barcelona, but it was useful to get familiar with the tyres. It’s also important to gather data now, which will definitely be useful in the coming months as we prepare for the new season.”
Ayumu Iwasa, happy to have another chance with Red Bull, added:
“Today I managed to complete many laps during the post-season tests, and it was fantastic to work with Oracle Red Bull Racing again. On Friday, I drove here for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, so it was nice to be back on track so quickly. It’s been a long season for everyone, and the tests came early, but everyone was really focused on gathering important data for a crucial year with the new regulations. I was able to do some Formula One testing this season and drove the RB21 in Bahrain for FP1, so it was great to get back in the car and see how my driving style has evolved over the past eight months. I hope the team can use this data, and I’m happy with the laps I completed.”
Technical assessment by Ben Waterhouse
Ben Waterhouse commented on the drivers’ work during the day:
“We had a really positive test day here in Abu Dhabi, wrapping up another long season. Today’s program was split between the two cars, with Isack following the testing program for the 2026 Pirelli tyres and Ayumu carrying out the Young Drivers’ Test, completing laps on the RB21 using the current tyres. Both drivers did an excellent job today, providing very detailed feedback and completing the full program without any issues for either car.
“Working with Isack has been extremely valuable for the team, giving us the chance to get to know him better and develop this relationship for next year. We will take the results of these tests back to Milton Keynes and use them to refine our simulation tools ahead of Barcelona, in just seven weeks. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank Honda for providing excellent power units and phenomenal support over the past seven years. They have been a fantastic partner, and we look forward to racing with them next year.”
The Abu Dhabi running leaves Red Bull in a strong position heading into the winter. Hadjar looked right at home from the off, Iwasa showed clear progress since his last outing, and the team heads home with a haul of 2026 tyre insights that could prove decisive when the new cars hit the track in late January.
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