Isack Hadjar has been declared rookie of the year following his standout performance in the 2024 Formula 1 season, where he finished 12th in the drivers’ standings. The Isack Hadjar rookie of year recognition comes as he prepares to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2026 season, signaling a major step forward in his racing career.
Hadjar’s Performance and Comeback from a Tough Start
Hadjar, of French–Algerian heritage, began his rookie run with Racing Bulls, initially partnered with Yuki Tsunoda. However, his season got off to a shaky beginning after a crash during the formation lap at the Australian Grand Prix meant he could not start the race. This early setback did not hold Hadjar back; he rebounded quickly, and his first major highlight came when he secured a third-place podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, demonstrating impressive resilience and adaptability among fellow new drivers like Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson.
“Isack Hadjar. Because over the season, he was the guy who was… I mean, they all did well, but Kimi [Antonelli] struggled a few times badly, Isack just struggled in Australia,”
— Guenther Steiner, Former Team Principal
“He didn’t make it to the start, but recovered, and for me the most impressive thing from him was that he recovered from that one and was back with his head on his shoulders the next race in China.”
— Guenther Steiner, Former Team Principal
Navigating a Changing Team Dynamic
After only two races, Hadjar found himself with a new team-mate as Liam Lawson joined Racing Bulls following Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull, replacing Lawson there. This presented additional challenges for Hadjar, as both he and Lawson were rookies with little Formula 1 experience to share between them. According to Guenther Steiner, the situation made Hadjar’s learning curve much steeper.
“If Hadjar had had an experienced team-mate, you learn quicker. He had to do it all himself,”
— Guenther Steiner, Former Team Principal
Without a seasoned peer to compare race data with or guidance for car setup and track navigation, Hadjar faced the complexities of Formula 1 largely on his own. Steiner regarded this independence as a notable accomplishment in itself.
“So it’s like he was on his own. When he had an issue or when he couldn’t find a set-up, he had nobody to look at, or if he couldn’t find a line on the race track or a braking point, or just getting better. He was on his own. I give him a lot of respect for that one as well.”
— Guenther Steiner, Former Team Principal
Looking Ahead to Red Bull and New Opportunities
The Racing Bulls driver’s move to Red Bull in 2026 will see him team up with four-time champion Max Verstappen. The team, based in Milton Keynes, has searched for a reliable partner for Verstappen in recent years, cycling through multiple driver lineups with mixed results. Hadjar’s arrival is set to coincide with a major regulatory overhaul in Formula 1, offering a unique opportunity where both he and Verstappen will adapt to an entirely new car at the same time.
“He has got that chance which should be an advantage that he doesn’t come in with a car which Max knows in and out and he doesn’t,”
— Guenther Steiner, Former Team Principal
“They both know nothing about the car. So that is to his advantage. I mean to challenge Max, you need to be very good, but at least I think he can keep the pressure on Max. That is what I expect from him because he’s doing well.”
— Guenther Steiner, Former Team Principal
Implications for Hadjar and Red Bull’s Future
Isack Hadjar’s recognition as rookie of the year reinforces his rapid rise through Formula 1 ranks, while his upcoming move to Red Bull reflects the team’s confidence in his potential to contribute at the highest level. Racing against a talent like Verstappen in an era of significant technical change may offer Hadjar a rare window to close the experience gap and establish himself as a cornerstone of Red Bull’s future driver lineup.
