Red Bull Secures Verstappen and Hadjar
Max Verstappen Commits to Red Bull Through 2030 While Team Retains Isack Hadjar
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Key Points
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Hadjar has been Red Bull’s closest qualifying team-mate to Verstappen since Daniel Ricciardo in 2018. Over the first half of the season, he was an average 0.239 seconds slower than Verstappen and out-qualified him three times, in Australia, Japan and Britain.
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Hadjar’s wrist injury was sustained while boxing as part of his training programme during the summer break, rather than in a racing incident.
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Mekies said Hadjar had spent extensive time at Red Bull’s factory with his engineers, “spending every minute at the factory” to help develop the car and showing a consistent desire to learn and improve.
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Hadjar had already recorded a podium in his rookie season with Racing Bulls, finishing third at the Dutch Grand Prix before moving up to Red Bull’s senior team.
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Mekies said Hadjar demonstrated that he had “earned his place in this seat” from his first weekend with the senior team in Melbourne, where he handled the promotion with “remarkable composure.”
Red Bull has locked in its driver future, retaining 21-year-old Isack Hadjar alongside Max Verstappen for 2027 while adding 11-year-old karting star Robin Räikkönen to its junior program. F1 Oversteer reported that Hadjar, who scored 71 points in his first 11 races this season, earned his contract extension after missing three races with a wrist injury sustained during boxing training. Verstappen, committed to Red Bull's Ford Formula One project through 2030, joked that he might eventually need to vacate his seat if young Räikkönen reaches the senior team.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar's performance and factory work ethic, saying he had been "superb on and off track" since joining Red Bull in 2026. Morning Chronicle noted that Hadjar has proven himself as Verstappen's closest qualifying teammate since Daniel Ricciardo in 2018, finishing 0.239 seconds slower on average and out-qualifying the four-time champion three times in the first half of the season.
Hadjar's Rapid Rise From Racing Bulls to Red Bull
Hadjar made an unusual jump to F1's top team in 2026 after one season with Racing Bulls, where he scored his maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. His promotion to Red Bull surprised many, but Sports Yahoo confirmed he immediately silenced doubters with mature performances in Melbourne and beyond. By mid-season, he had accumulated 71 points despite missing three races, putting him eighth in the championship standings.
Mekies emphasized that Hadjar "earned his place in this seat" from his first weekend with the senior team. The young Frenchman spent "every minute at the factory" with his engineers, helping develop the car and showing relentless desire to improve. His wrist injury during summer boxing training sidelined him for three races, but a September simulator session confirmed his readiness to return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Verstappen Commits to Red Bull Through 2030 Ford Era
Max Verstappen has renewed his commitment to Red Bull despite the team's recent struggles, staying through 2030 to lead the Ford engine partnership. New Indian Express reported that Verstappen considered retirement more seriously than joining another team during Red Bull's difficult period. His contract allows him to pursue endurance racing such as Le Mans and the Nürburgring 24 Hours when his F1 schedule permits.
Verstappen met with Kimi and Robin Räikkönen at the Italian Grand Prix in September, discussing the young karting champion's entry into Red Bull's academy. The four-time champion joked: "Eventually they also need a seat for him in the team. So then, yeah, maybe I'll move aside!" His motivation remains racing rather than legacy-building, and he believes Red Bull can return to the front.
Robin Räikkönen Joins Academy Following Strong Karting Record
Red Bull announced on September 9 that 11-year-old Robin Räikkönen, son of 2007 champion Kimi, has joined its junior program for 2027. The karting ace earned the spot through strong performances in Rotax and WSK national and international championships. Kimi said the family was "thrilled and excited," praising Laurent Mekies and Red Bull's supportive approach throughout discussions.
Mekies stressed that Robin will be developed "step by step, without placing any unnecessary pressure on his shoulders." The team principal emphasized patient development rather than pushing the young driver toward F1 prematurely. Verstappen's jest about eventually vacating his seat highlights the long-term talent pipeline Red Bull is building around its current championship core.
Driver Market Uncertainty Remains for Lawson and Tsunoda
Hadjar's extension through 2027 leaves Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda competing for seats within Red Bull's wider program. Tsunoda previously struggled as Verstappen's teammate in 2025 before being replaced by Hadjar. F1 Oversteer noted that locking in Hadjar early shuts the door on both drivers for the main Red Bull seat, forcing management to navigate frustration across the Racing Bulls secondary team.
The announcement signals Red Bull's confidence in Hadjar's long-term potential alongside Verstappen during the critical Ford regulation transition. Driver stability has been historically difficult for Red Bull's second seat—previous teammates Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and Sergio Perez all struggled in the role. Hadjar's retention represents the team's first genuine vote of confidence in a second driver since the Verstappen era began.
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