Laurent Mekies has given the clearest indication yet that Isack Hadjar will remain at Red Bull for the 2027 Formula 1 season, describing the eventual choice as a “logical decision”. The young French driver has impressed Red Bull’s senior management with his performances alongside Max Verstappen during 2026.
Isack Hadjar has increasingly strengthened his case for another season with the Milton Keynes-based team. Red Bull believe he has the right qualities to provide continuity and competitiveness alongside Max Verstappen, with only an official announcement now appearing to be missing. His progress can also be followed through the latest Formula 1 driver standings.
Laurent Mekies signals Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull 2027 decision
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies offered significant praise for the driver born in 2004. Although he was unable to announce a contract extension formally, his comments suggested that the decision may effectively have been made.
“It is good news to finally have a top-level second driver after such a long time,” Laurent Mekies said, as quoted by De Telegraaf. “That was one of our objectives before the start of the season. Isack is achieving excellent results and has learned a lot from the team and from Max.”
“Having Isack a little closer is good news, for Max as well. We have not discussed the future yet, but everyone can see that Isack is doing a great job. Therefore, we will make a logical decision.”
Why Isack Hadjar has impressed Red Bull
Isack Hadjar’s development has been consistent from one race to the next. Introduced into a demanding environment, the French driver has shown that he can learn quickly, minimise mistakes and take advantage of opportunities to score points for the team.
Nobody expected Isack Hadjar to perform at Max Verstappen’s level, although some observers have made particularly enthusiastic assessments of the former Racing Bulls driver. Instead, Isack Hadjar has shown the humility required to learn from the strongest driver on the grid while steadily establishing his own position within Red Bull.
His performances have consequently strengthened the argument that Isack Hadjar could become Red Bull’s next team leader as the organisation plans beyond its current era.
Red Bull change their approach alongside Max Verstappen
It must also be acknowledged that the No. 6 driver has entered a less complicated environment than his predecessors encountered. Sergio Perez, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon are all good or highly accomplished drivers, but each faded alongside Max Verstappen once Red Bull followed the development direction preferred by the Dutchman.
Since the beginning of Red Bull’s new chapter in mid-2025 and the departures of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, the team has no longer spoken only Max Verstappen’s language. Red Bull now want to develop with reliable feedback from both sides of the garage, making Isack Hadjar’s continued progress particularly valuable for the team’s future.
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