French-Algerian sensation Isack Hadjar has officially been promoted to Formula 1, joining VCARB Racing Bulls alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 season. This announcement caps a remarkable journey through the ranks of motorsport for the 20-year-old, who finished as runner-up in the 2024 Formula 2 championship.
From F2 Contender to F1 Rookie
Hadjar’s rapid rise through the motorsport ladder has been nothing short of meteoric. After finishing third in French Formula 4 in 2021, he swiftly moved through Formula Regional, Formula 3, and into Formula 2. His second year in F2 saw him claim four wins, eight podiums, and a pole position, amassing 192 points before a clutch issue in the finale denied him the title.
Despite narrowly missing out to Gabriel Bortoleto, Hadjar’s performances earned him the trust of Red Bull, who saw his potential as a future F1 star. “The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters to now being in Formula 1 is the moment I’ve been working towards my whole life,” Hadjar said. “It is the dream. I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, but I’m ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team.”
A Tough Challenge with Tsunoda as a Benchmark
Hadjar enters the sport with high expectations and will be tested against the experienced Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver has consistently outperformed teammates, including Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson, since Pierre Gasly’s departure.
If Hadjar can compete with Tsunoda in his rookie season, it will signal his readiness for the next level of competition. Red Bull, known for its cutthroat driver program, will closely monitor Hadjar’s performance to assess his long-term potential within the team.
Lawson’s Promotion and Perez’s Departure
Hadjar’s promotion comes as Liam Lawson moves up to Red Bull Racing to partner Max Verstappen after an impressive six-race cameo in 2024. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez has been dropped after struggling with consistency and performance, contributing to Red Bull losing the constructors’ championship to McLaren for the first time since 2020.
Perez’s departure marks the end of an era, while Hadjar’s arrival symbolizes the start of a new chapter for VCARB as it looks to nurture the next wave of talent in Formula 1.
Anticipation Builds for 2025
With the 2025 driver line-ups now finalized, all eyes turn to pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 26–28. This will be Hadjar’s first opportunity to adapt to the physical and mental demands of driving an F1 car while fine-tuning his skills for the season ahead.
The upcoming season promises thrilling drama, building on the excitement of 2024, which saw seven different Grand Prix winners from four teams—McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes. With Hadjar joining a competitive grid and VCARB Racing Bulls determined to reclaim its standing, the 2025 season opener in Australia on March 16 is set to deliver unmissable action.
