Red Bull Racing is on the brink of a seismic shift as whispers grow louder about who could be stepping into the coveted second seat alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen in Formula 1 for the 2026 season. The name on everyone’s lips? Isack Hadjar, the sensational French rookie who is turning heads with his electrifying performance in the sport.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s astute senior advisor, has dropped tantalizing hints that Hadjar, currently dazzling fans in the Drivers’ Championship, could be the next big thing for the team. With a remarkable ninth place and 38 points to his name, Hadjar recently clinched his maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, solidifying his status as a driver to watch. His ascent through the ranks has sparked fervent speculation that he could be ready to leap from the team’s satellite squad, Racing Bulls, straight into the main event.
The second seat at Red Bull has been a carousel of instability this year. Initially filled by Liam Lawson, the role was quickly handed over to Yuki Tsunoda after just two races. However, Tsunoda has also faced challenges in maintaining consistent performance, leaving fans questioning who will ultimately partner Verstappen in the future.
Marko isn’t shy about his admiration for Hadjar, declaring him a “really fast guy” with the mental fortitude to stand toe-to-toe with Verstappen. “He certainly has the mental strength to hold his own against Verstappen,” Marko stated in an interview with Kleine Zeitung. “He also doesn’t make mistakes, which is really surprising for a new driver.” Indeed, Hadjar’s ability to adapt and improve on every track he encounters is nothing short of impressive, making him a formidable contender for the role.
As Red Bull has a storied history of promoting talent from its junior ranks, with Verstappen himself being a prime example of this strategy, the pressure is mounting for Hadjar to seize this golden opportunity. The team’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent has been unwavering, though the recent dismissal of Sergio Perez in favor of Lawson highlights the cutthroat nature of the racing world.
In an intriguing twist, Red Bull is also considering the possibility of bringing in external talent if a “super talent” becomes available. Marko confirmed, “Fundamentally, we want to stick with our driver pool when it comes to the cockpits for 2026. If a super talent emerges from another team, we won’t turn a blind eye, of course, but that’s not the case at the moment.”
With the clock ticking towards the 2026 season, fans and pundits alike are left on the edge of their seats. Will Isack Hadjar rise to the occasion and secure his spot beside Max Verstappen, or will Red Bull’s relentless pursuit of excellence lead them to consider other options? As the F1 landscape continues to evolve, one thing is for sure: the future of Red Bull Racing is about to get even more thrilling!