Isack Hadjar has been promoted to the Red Bull team for the 2026 Formula 1 season, where he will partner Max Verstappen. Former Red Bull drivers Alex Albon and Sergio Perez have expressed support for Hadjar's potential success. They highlight his talent and the upcoming regulation changes as positive factors.
Isack Hadjar, who impressed in his rookie season with Racing Bulls by securing an unexpected podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, has been called up to Red Bull for 2026. This move positions the French driver to race alongside Max Verstappen in the senior squad based in Milton Keynes. Hadjar recently completed pre-season preparations in Bahrain ahead of his second F1 campaign.
Former Red Bull teammates have offered encouraging assessments. Alex Albon, now with Williams, told media including RacingNews365: “Isack is a quick driver. Actually, a lot of this regulation change will be good, it's a fresh start for everyone. At least from what I've seen so far, he seems to be quite comfortable with the car. It's a lot of learning to do, not just in terms of having a quick team-mate, but the car itself. So I think he's going to do okay.”
Sergio Perez, who returned to the grid with Cadillac after being dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024, echoed this optimism. “It's great to come into Red Bull with a change in the regulations,” he said. “Isack is a very talented driver, he's shown that. As long as he stays [fit] throughout the year, he will have a very successful career in F1. Being team-mates with Max at Red Bull, it's a great team. It's a great place for him to be at this point of his career. It's a massive opportunity.”
Both drivers acknowledged the challenges of partnering Verstappen, noting that previous teammates have struggled in the second seat. The 2026 regulation changes are seen as providing a level playing field.
