Red Bull’s Hadjar Doesn’t Need a “Special” Partner, Responds to Lawson’s Replacement
Isack Hadjar from Red Bull Racing has made it clear that he doesn’t believe he needs anyone “special” as a teammate, addressing the replacement of Liam Lawson by Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull. The decision to swap Lawson for Tsunoda came after just two race weekends of Lawson’s debut Formula 1 season. Despite initially choosing Lawson over Tsunoda to replace Sergio Perez, the team now sees Tsunoda as a better fit to partner with Max Verstappen, the four-time champion.
Hadjar now finds himself paired with another rookie instead of the experienced Tsunoda, who had been with the team for four years. When asked about Lawson joining him, Hadjar stated, “I don’t need anyone special alongside to push myself to drive as fast as I can.” He remained confident that they would work well together and praised Lawson’s abilities.
The team recently participated in a showrun in Tokyo, featuring all four drivers – Hadjar, Lawson, Verstappen, and Tsunoda – showcasing their skills on the streets with different Red Bull cars. Despite the recent changes, Hadjar mentioned that there were no uncomfortable moments during the showrun, as all drivers understood the challenges of the sport.
As Red Bull’s partnership with Honda comes to an end after the 2025 season, the team unveiled a special all-white livery to commemorate their last Japanese Grand Prix together. The unique livery pays tribute to Honda’s first Formula 1 victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, driven by Richie Ginther in the RA272. This historic Honda car served as the inspiration for the eye-catching new design.
The dynamics within Red Bull Racing continue to shift, with Hadjar’s confidence in his own abilities clear as he navigates the changes in the team lineup. The upcoming races will reveal how the new driver pairing of Hadjar and Lawson will fare on the track as they strive for success in the competitive world of Formula 1.
