French racing driver Isack Hadjar has secured his position at Red Bull for the 2027 season, teaming up once again with four-time world champion Max Verstappen. At just 21 years old, Hadjar was promoted to the senior team this season after a rookie year with Racing Bulls. His performance has been impressive, often staying close to Verstappen's pace, a feat not achieved by any teammate since Daniel Ricciardo in 2018.
Hadjar's highlight of the season so far has been a third-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar, describing the decision to retain him as "an easy one." Mekies commended Hadjar's performance on and off the track, especially considering it is only his second F1 season. This move demonstrates Red Bull's confidence in Hadjar's abilities.
Hadjar is set to return to Red Bull for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three races due to a broken wrist. The injury was sustained while boxing as part of his training program. Despite the challenging period following his injury, the contract extension shows how much Red Bull believes in his potential. Mekies noted that Hadjar handled the step up to the senior team with remarkable composure.
Reflecting on his time with Red Bull, Hadjar expressed his excitement about driving for such an ambitious organization alongside a champion like Max Verstappen. He emphasized his commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Hadjar's performances have been encouraging, with him being 0.239 seconds slower than Verstappen on average in qualifying over the first half of the season.
Hadjar has out-qualified Verstappen three times this season, in Australia, Japan, and Britain. Notably, Verstappen had a down-on-power engine in Silverstone and crashed at the start of qualifying in Australia. These instances highlight Hadjar's competitiveness within the team. His contract extension signals a long-term plan for him within Red Bull.
Verstappen recently signed a two-year extension to his contract, which now runs until the end of 2030. This extension, coupled with Hadjar's retention, solidifies Red Bull's driver lineup for the foreseeable future. It also underscores the team's strategy of nurturing young talent, as seen with Hadjar's rapid rise through the ranks.
Looking ahead, Hadjar's focus will be on building on his current performance and contributing to Red Bull's ongoing success. With his talent and the team's support, he is poised to make significant strides in the coming seasons. The combination of experience and youth in Red Bull's lineup could prove to be a winning formula.
Key points
- Red Bull retains Isack Hadjar for the 2027 season as teammate to Max Verstappen.
- Hadjar has impressed with his pace, being 0.239 seconds slower than Verstappen on average in qualifying.
- Hadjar's contract extension reflects Red Bull's confidence in his abilities and long-term potential.
