French driver Isack Hadjar is set to receive crucial support from Red Bull as Formula 1 prepares to shift under the 2026 regulations, according to broadcaster Alex Brundle. After a remarkable debut season with Red Bull’s satellite team Racing Bulls in 2025, Hadjar’s rise coincides with a period of uncertainty within the sport and the team’s evolving structure.
Hadjar’s impressive performances, which included a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix and a total of 51 points, earned him a coveted promotion to Red Bull’s main squad alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen. His inclusion replaces Yuki Tsunoda in the Milton Keynes-based team, signifying high expectations and a fresh challenge for the young driver.
The Challenge of Living Up to Red Bull’s Demands
Taking Verstappen’s seat is no small task, especially given the quick turnover of other talented Red Bull junior drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and most recently Sergio Perez, who parted ways with the team after the 2024 season. The pressure on Hadjar to meet team expectations and reinforce Red Bull’s dominance is immense.
On the Rolling Start podcast, Brundle highlighted how Hadjar is aware that Verstappen represents the standard to beat but remains fiercely ambitious to carve out his own legacy.
Well, the first thing is when you enter that programme, you know the destination is Max. What are you going to do? Drive for RB forever?
He added,
“And you don’t get to the position Hadjar is in without wanting to be a world championship-winning F1 driver. And to be a world championship-winning F1 driver without beating everyone. And everyone includes Max last time I checked.
“He knew the seat was coming. What’s clear is that it was abundantly clear when he was first asked, and that was maybe even before the turn of this regulation set, would you be ready for the Red Bull seat? There was that moment of slight hesitancy there.
Because this is how he wanted to do it. And I can understand that entirely.
Brundle’s insights show the delicate balance Hadjar faces between embracing the opportunity and managing the inevitable comparisons to Verstappen.
New Regulations Could Level the Playing Field for Hadjar
Hadjar’s step up to Red Bull’s lead team arrives alongside the introduction of new technical rules in 2026, potentially resetting competitive dynamics within Formula 1. Brundle views this as a unique chance for Hadjar to demonstrate his skill in a context less shaped by Verstappen’s established dominance.
With a new regulation set comes new cars, a full new group of bits and an entirely new driving style,
Brundle explained,
“So we are about to find out if Max, that reg set, and that specific car was magic or if there is an opportunity for Hadjar.
“I think he is the driver of the last sequence of team-mates who Max has had, who has the best chance here of survival because he has the opportunity to get his head around these regs and fight his corner.
And if he performs, I really believe Red Bull will back him.
With Red Bull’s new RB22 chassis supported by an in-house power unit developed in cooperation with Ford, the 2026 season could demand a deeper reliance on both drivers if the team’s car does not immediately challenge for victories.
Brundle stressed the importance of Red Bull’s competitiveness this year, citing speculation around rival Mercedes and Ferrari engines, but acknowledging it remains to be seen who will have the upper hand once racing begins.
What’s important to remember is Red Bull have been a potentially championship-winning team with Max for a long time. Will that be the case this year?
He observed,
“Even though to have a championship-winning car for Hadjar will of course be the aim and beneficial, if Red Bull don’t necessarily hit the ground running – we’re hearing everything about how brilliant the Mercedes engine is going to be again, [which is] conjecture until they’re all on the race track, and again the report is Hamilton in the Ferrari did the fastest time in the shakedown for whatever that’s worth, it’s all pinch of salt stuff – if the Red Bull isn’t chart-topping, they’re going to need both drivers more.
If you’ve got a Red Bull that can win races in the hands of Max, they focus on Max. That’s another reason why it’s the right time for Isack.
Implications for Hadjar’s Future and Red Bull’s Strategy
Hadjar’s rise to Red Bull’s main team during the regulatory overhaul could mark a turning point, offering him a genuine chance to secure his place in the upper echelons of Formula 1. The team’s willingness to support him hinges largely on his performance adapting to new regulations and the car’s competitiveness.
Should Red Bull face challenges competing against powerhouses like Mercedes and Ferrari, Hadjar’s role may become indispensable beyond just being Verstappen’s teammate. His potential to push for race wins could influence Red Bull’s driver strategies and their approach to the evolving 2026 season.
The season ahead promises to test whether Hadjar can capitalize on this unique window of opportunity and if Red Bull’s faith in the young Frenchman will translate into substantial backing. This transition signals more than a driver change—it reflects the shifting dynamics within Formula 1 ahead of its most significant technical transformation in years.
