Isack Hadjar views joining Red Bull Racing as a long-term goal, but he currently prefers to remain with Racing Bulls, not yet ready to go head-to-head with Max Verstappen.
Red Bull is already looking ahead to life after Verstappen
When Christian Horner was still serving as Team Principal of Red Bull Racing and rumors began to link him to Scuderia Ferrari as a potential replacement for Mattia Binotto, he famously referred to the idea of joining the Italian team as a “poisoned chalice.” His remark highlighted the enormous pressures and complexities associated with leading such a high-profile operation. Ironically, a similar description now fits Red Bull itself.
The Formula 1 team based in Milton Keynes has built its cars entirely around the driving style and preferences of Max Verstappen. With Horner’s departure, the structure of the team has increasingly molded itself to suit the reigning world champion. This has created a dependency on the Dutch driver that could pose long-term risks.
While the management at Red Bull Racing is doing everything possible to convince Max Verstappen to stay, it is widely accepted in the paddock that the three-time World Champion will eventually leave the team. Replacing him will be a monumental challenge. However, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko is closely monitoring the progress of young talents such as Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad to determine who could potentially become the future face of the team.
Hadjar’s words: ambition meets realism
Despite experiencing two underwhelming race weekends recently, French driver Isack Hadjar has been performing strongly for Racing Bulls—Red Bull’s sister team based in Faenza. His consistent form has sparked speculation in the Formula 1 paddock that he might be a candidate to replace Yuki Tsunoda, who has struggled considerably, especially when compared to Verstappen’s performance metrics.
Wearing race number 6, Hadjar acknowledged that securing a Red Bull Racing seat remains his primary ambition. However, he also emphasized the importance of developing at the right pace. “When I signed my contract with Red Bull four years ago, my goal was always to drive for the senior team, and that goal hasn’t changed,” Hadjar explained. “It’s definitely an exciting prospect and something I would really love. Right now, I’m scoring points, but I still have a lot to learn. So it makes more sense to stay where I am.”
Performance figures: a rookie making his mark
Isack Hadjar is increasingly being recognized by analysts and commentators as one of the most promising newcomers of the 2025 Formula 1 season. With 21 points scored so far, his rookie campaign is proving to be anything but quiet—especially considering the current landscape of Formula 1, where the top eight positions are typically dominated by four front-running teams.
Hadjar has finished in the points in five of the twelve Grands Prix contested so far this season—a figure just one short of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is driving for Mercedes-AMG Petronas. Notably, Hadjar and Antonelli were involved in a high-profile collision at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone that forced both drivers to retire from the race. Alongside his debut in Melbourne, that incident represents one of the only major errors in Hadjar’s otherwise steady and composed rookie campaign.
Overall, the French driver has shown maturity, composure, and consistent growth, solidifying his status as a rising star within the Red Bull junior programme. While a seat at the top team remains on the horizon, his current focus remains on improving race by race with Racing Bulls—laying the groundwork for what could be a major promotion in the near future.
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