Red Bull announced this morning that Liam Lawson will partner Max Verstappen in Formula 1 for the 2025 season. This leaves one seat vacant in the VCARB – or Racing Bulls – team for the upcoming campaign.
Isack Hadjar is widely regarded as the leading candidate for the spot. The 20-year-old French driver completed his second season in Formula 2 this year, finishing as runner-up behind rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, who is set to debut in F1 in 2025 with Kick Sauber.
Affiliated with Red Bull for several years, Hadjar has already participated in tests and four free practice sessions since 2023, representing both Red Bull and the team now known as VCARB/Racing Bulls.
However, Hadjar isn’t the sole contender. Ayumu Iwasa, also a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, finished in the top five in his two F2 seasons. With little left to learn in the category, he returned to Japan this year to compete in Super Formula, where he is set to race again in 2025.
Iwasa also took part in a free practice session this year for VCARB. The only potential drawback is his association with Honda, which will partner with Aston Martin from 2026, while Red Bull and its secondary team are aligned with Ford.
Additionally, Franco Colapinto had been rumored as a candidate for the seat following his strong performances this year with Williams. He has a strong backing from Argentine sponsors. However, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko clarified earlier this month that Colapinto is not among the primary options.
