Isack Hadjar has been confirmed by Red Bull for the 2026 season – According to Helmut Marko, the team’s motorsport advisor, Isack Hadjar has been confirmed by Red Bull for the 2026 Formula One season. The French-Algerian driver is guaranteed a place within the Red Bull family, although it is unclear whether this means a promotion to the senior squad or another season with the Racing Bulls team. Hadjar would join Max Verstappen, who is tied to Red Bull until the end of 2028 under his long-term contract.
Marko stressed that Hadjar’s future is secure, but stopped short of confirming the dream scenario of pairing him with Verstappen. The 19-year-old impressed observers during his rookie year at Racing Bulls to such an extent that he is already considered a contender for rapid promotion. With Formula One entering a new technical era in 2026, this decision carries added weight for Red Bull.
There is a battle for seats within the Red Bull family
The biggest question is who will line up alongside Verstappen. Currently, Red Bull and Racing Bulls have a combined pool of four drivers competing for three available seats. Alongside Haddad, Yuki Tsunoda has years of experience within the Red Bull family. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson is widely regarded as ready for a permanent race seat, and Arvid Lindblad is another rising talent emerging from Formula 2.
This level of competition highlights both the strength and the challenge of the Red Bull junior system. The team has rarely faced so many viable options in the same timeframe. With Verstappen firmly established at the top of the hierarchy, the team must decide which of the young drivers can complement him and deliver strong enough results to maintain their dominance.
Marko has confirmed that this decision will not be taken hastily.
“We want to wait until the end of October, or even longer, so that we can make all the comparisons,” he told Kleine Zeitung.
“The only certainties are that Verstappen and Haryanto have contracts. But where and in which position, that is still to be determined.”
Hadjar’s meteoric rise
For Hadjar, the situation represents both opportunity and uncertainty. His first season in Formula One has already exceeded expectations. Driving for Racing Bulls, he quickly adapted to the challenges of the top level, and his combination of speed, confidence and maturity has earned him recognition within the paddock. Many have noted that his style is aggressive yet composed, recalling previous Red Bull graduates who rose rapidly through the ranks.
Putting him in the senior team alongside Verstappen so early in his career would be one of Red Bull’s boldest moves in recent years. This would also occur at a pivotal moment for Formula One, as the sport prepares to enter a new regulatory cycle involving significant engine and chassis modifications in 2026. Teams will require drivers who can adapt quickly, and Haddad has demonstrated that he fits that profile.
The Tsunoda and Lawson question
If Hadjar is promoted, the situation becomes more complicated for Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson. Tsunoda has delivered consistent performances, improving steadily since his debut and demonstrating the occasional burst of speed that has kept him in contention. However, there are still questions about whether Red Bull sees him as a long-term partner for Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Lawson impressed during his substitute appearances in Formula One, and his reputation has grown stronger since then. Many believe he deserves a full-time seat, but with limited places available, his talent may not be enough to secure him a spot.
Arvid Lindblad is still in the early stages of his career, but he represents the next wave of Red Bull investment. The team must balance providing opportunities for established young drivers with ensuring that its newest prospects also see a pathway to the top.
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Red Bull’s approach is one of strategic patience
Marko’s decision to delay final announcements until late October reflects this strategy. With two teams under their control, they can afford to weigh up options and monitor performance trends at their own pace. Results in the next few races, as well as in Formula 2, could be decisive in shaping the 2026 line-up.
For now, the only certainties are that Verstappen and Hadjar are under contract.
The rest of the puzzle remains to be solved, leaving fans and analysts to speculate about the balance of youth, experience and raw talent Red Bull will select.
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MORE F1 NEWS – Hadjar breaks silence over the rumour
Isack Hadjar has emerged as one of the most promising newcomers of the 2025 Formula One season. Driving for Racing Bulls, the French rookie has stunned many observers with his consistently excellent performances, which far exceed expectations for a first-year driver. His success has inevitably led to speculation in the paddock that he is destined for a rapid promotion to the senior Red Bull Racing team, but Hadjar himself appears unmoved by the rumours.
Rumours have been circulating for several months, fuelled by his impressive on-track results and Red Bull’s ongoing struggle to find a reliable partner for Max Verstappen. Senior advisor Helmut Marko told German outlet Sport1 that a formal decision regarding Hadjar’s future could be made around the Mexico Grand Prix weekend at the end of October. For now, however, the 20-year-old insists that his focus remains firmly on driving rather than indulging in transfer gossip…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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