Isack Hadjar’s potential is “mega,” according to Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies, as the team prepares for the 2026 Formula 1 season with the young Frenchman poised to partner four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.
The announcement of Hadjar’s promotion to the senior Red Bull team, replacing Yuki Tsunoda, came before the conclusion of the 2025 season. Tsunoda will return to a reserve driver role, while at the sister team, Racing Bulls, rookie Arvid Lindblad will race alongside Liam Lawson. The second seat alongside Verstappen has proven challenging to fill consistently, with previous drivers including Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly all failing to match the Dutchman’s performance levels.
Mekies acknowledged the difficulties Red Bull has faced in maximizing the potential of the second car, stating the team needs to improve in that area. “We are not hiding behind the fact that we need to do a better job with that second car, and that includes the second part of last year,” he said at the recent Autosport Business Exchange. “Yes, we made some progress with Yuki, but not at the level that we felt we should have reached, so we are aware that we need to do a better job there.”
Despite the historical challenges, Mekies expressed strong confidence in Hadjar’s abilities. “Isack comes with incredible raw speed,” he asserted. “We think the level at which he started last year, his starting speed was outstanding – at the level of the very best. But then we equally believe that the big guys, the champions – not only do they have an incredible starting point, but they progress.” He noted that Hadjar demonstrated progress during his time at Racing Bulls, and the team believes he possesses the capacity for significant development.
Hadjar’s 2025 season with Racing Bulls saw a promising start despite an early setback at the Australian Grand Prix, where he crashed on the formation lap. He quickly recovered, securing a podium finish at Zandvoort and consistently reaching Q3 in qualifying sessions. This momentum is expected to be crucial as all drivers adapt to the significant regulation changes planned for 2026, which will include a complete overhaul of power units and aerodynamics.
Mekies highlighted Hadjar’s dedication to preparation for the new season. “He has been taking it from day one with maximum intensity,” Mekies said. “He has moved to London. He’s on the sim as we speak and is there quite a few days each week. He’s fully aware of the challenge. He has his feet on the ground. He’s a very humble guy, and we are going to support him 360 [degrees] to make sure that he can express his talent in that car.”
The team is hopeful that the sweeping changes to the car’s design for 2026 will provide a “reset” for Hadjar, allowing him to fully leverage his potential. The new regulations are intended to level the playing field and provide an opportunity for drivers to adapt and excel, something Mekies believes Hadjar is well-prepared to do.
