Isack Hadjar’s transition to Red Bull Racing has impressed team principal Laurent Mekies, highlighted by the French driver’s recent relocation to the United Kingdom as a sign of full dedication. Joining Max Verstappen for the Formula 1 2026 season, Hadjar’s early steps with Red Bull reveal a clear focus on integrating deeply into the team environment.
Having made a notable impact during his rookie Formula 1 season in 2025, Hadjar earned his promotion after outshining other contenders like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. This move reflects his rising stature within the sport and his readiness to compete at the highest level alongside Verstappen.
Hadjar’s Early Adaptation and Challenges at Red Bull
After impressing with consistent point finishes and a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix during his debut season with Racing Bulls, Hadjar’s capabilities secured him a seat in Red Bull’s senior squad. His appointment was endorsed by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who believed Hadjar was the best candidate to partner Verstappen, with the confirmation arriving only at the 2025 season’s conclusion.
Hadjar’s initial testing phases with Red Bull involved overcoming several hurdles. In Bahrain, reliability issues hampered his track time, while a crash disrupted his preparations in Barcelona. Despite these setbacks, Hadjar expressed optimism, highlighting late setup improvements in Barcelona that exceeded his expectations and suggested progress in his understanding of the RB22 car.
Out of six sessions, we missed two, so it’s quite a bit, but we always made sure to compact and make the most of the other running we got,
Hadjar said just before the end of the Bahrain tests.
“So it was never boring, to be honest!
“I feel as ready as I can, heading into Melbourne, and the guys have been very, very good at making the most of the tests.
We’ve been through so many test items. So I’m very glad with the understanding of the car.
Team Boss Mekies Applauds Hadjar’s Professionalism and Energy
Laurent Mekies, recently becoming Hadjar’s new team principal, praised the driver’s proactive attitude and commitment since joining Red Bull. Mekies emphasized the significance of Hadjar moving to the UK early in January, following his previous relocation to Faenza for Racing Bulls last year, as a clear statement of his professional dedication.
He’s doing a very, very good job,
Mekies remarked.
“He’s in the factory every other day in the sim. He went back between the two tests to be on the simulator. He’s completely merged with the team, with the engineers.
“He got a bit unlucky with on-track running. We lost half a day with him last week. He lost half a day again this morning [Day 1 of test 2].
But it’s part of the game. So, in a nutshell, very happy with the early things he’s showing us in and outside of the car.
Hadjar Focused on Learning Ahead of 2026 Season Launch
With preseason testing complete, Hadjar’s immediate goal is further development during the factory-based work before the Formula 1 season opens in Melbourne. He is also relying on fruitful collaboration with his four-time World Champion teammate Max Verstappen to accelerate his progression.
Basically, the goal for Melbourne is to make the most of the learning, go back on the sim, correlate all that, and try to make sure that it is clear,
Hadjar explained.
The work with Max has been very good. He’s very open so far. So it’s good to have him by my side.
Aware of the high standards set by Verstappen, Hadjar is approaching his first full season with a realistic mindset, prepared to accept being the junior driver during initial stages. This measured outlook aims to manage expectations and reduce frustration.
The goal is to accept that I’m going to be slower the first month,
Hadjar shared.
“I think that if you go into that mindset, you accept already it’s going to be very tough, looking at the data and seeing things you can’t achieve yet, it’s going to be very frustrating.
But, if you know, then you’re more prepared. [Taking this approach has] never happened to me before in my life.
Hadjar’s Mental Strength and Learning Attitude Win Respect
Hadjar demonstrated resilience right from his Formula 1 debut, recovering swiftly after crashing out during his first weekend on the formation lap. His self-critical nature and determination to improve have gained admiration from many within the paddock, including Alan Permane, who assumed the Racing Bulls team leadership mid-2025 following a sweeping management reshuffle that repositioned Mekies.
Isack has everything he needs to be successful, everything,
Permane said.
“He’s fast, he’s inquisitive. He is always ready to learn more, always ready to when things aren’t going so well with him.
“The first place he looks is at himself. He doesn’t try to blame the car. He doesn’t try to blame the setup or the power unit, or anything like that.
His first reaction is, ‘What can I do better?’ I think, with that attitude, that he’s got a very, very bright future.
Hadjar’s Progress Signals Exciting Prospects for Red Bull
Isack Hadjar’s early integration into Red Bull and willingness to embrace challenges highlights his potential as a key player in Formula 1’s upcoming seasons. His commitment to relocating, rigorous simulator work, and open collaboration with Verstappen position him well to make an impact in the highly competitive squad. The lessons learned during testing and his tempered approach to racing augur well for steady progress.
As Red Bull continues developing for the 2026 campaign, Hadjar’s growth could prove critical in sustaining the team’s dominance, while his trajectory offers fans and commentators a promising glimpse into the future of Formula 1.
