Red Bull’s Racing Bulls team (formerly AlphaTauri) is preparing to unleash the fiery talent of 20-year-old Isack Hadjar alongside the equally spirited Yuki Tsunoda in 2025. The promotion of the young Frenchman marks a continuation of the Red Bull Junior Team’s legacy of bringing fresh, dynamic talent into the Formula 1 fold.
Hadjar replaces Liam Lawson, who has been promoted to partner Max Verstappen at the senior Red Bull team following Sergio Perez’s departure. This shift underscores Red Bull’s commitment to its developmental pipeline, emphasizing their investment in nurturing future champions.
Why Hadjar? The Helmut Marko Breakdown
Speaking on the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko detailed the reasons behind Hadjar’s promotion, highlighting both his raw speed and areas for improvement:
“Isack is fast, but he needs to keep his emotions in check and stay focused. For example, in Monaco during a safety car period, he wasted energy complaining instead of attacking. But the speed and talent are undeniable, and the rest will come with experience.”
Marko also praised Hadjar’s resilience, noting that despite technical issues costing him over 80 points in Formula 2, he maintained his drive and composure—a key factor in earning his F1 debut.
The Journey to Formula 1
Hadjar’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Starting in karting in 2012, he quickly gained attention with victories in French F4 and impressive performances in the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA). His breakthrough came with a dominant victory in Monaco during the 2021 FRECA season, a performance that caught Red Bull’s eye and secured his place in their Junior Program.
Since then, Hadjar has showcased his potential in Formula 3 and Formula 2, where he finished second in the 2024 championship. His standout wins at iconic circuits like Imola, Spa, and Silverstone further solidified his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in motorsport.
Hadjar’s Perspective: A Dream Realized
For Hadjar, the promotion to F1 fulfills a lifelong dream. Reflecting on his journey, he shared:
“This is huge for myself, my family, and all the people who believed in me. The journey from karting through single-seaters to Formula 1 is the moment I’ve been working towards my whole life.”
Hadjar also expressed admiration for his new teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, calling him a role model within the Red Bull Junior Program:
“I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki. He’s very experienced and will be good to learn from as I adapt to F1.”
Challenges Ahead
While Hadjar’s talent is undeniable, the transition to Formula 1 will be a steep learning curve. Racing Bulls is positioned as a proving ground for Red Bull’s future stars, but the team also carries the expectation of delivering consistent midfield results. For Hadjar, maintaining focus, improving consistency, and managing the high-pressure environment of F1 will be critical to his success.
Racing Bulls 2025: A New Chapter
With the exciting pairing of Tsunoda and Hadjar, Racing Bulls is set for an electrifying 2025 season. Tsunoda’s experience and fiery determination will complement Hadjar’s youthful enthusiasm and raw speed, creating a dynamic duo that could shake up the midfield battle.
As the latest graduate of the Red Bull Junior Program, Isack Hadjar joins an elite group of drivers, including world champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, who have ascended through the ranks to the pinnacle of motorsport. His journey will undoubtedly be one to watch as the 2025 season unfolds.