Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar is increasingly seen as the frontrunner to join Red Bull Racing in 2026. The Frenchman has delivered an eye-catching rookie campaign, but doubts remain about whether he can handle the pressure of replacing Sergio Pérez and racing alongside Max Verstappen after only one year in Formula 1.
The 2026 rules overhaul could change the competitive order, and Hadjar believes that timing makes it the ideal chance to step up. Helmut Marko echoed that sentiment when speaking to Motorsport.com. “Of course. These ground-effect cars are very special. And through the new regulations, it will be a completely new sort of driving. You have to use a lot of your brain for the recovery system and so on. So I think it’s a good time for a movement.”
This underlines that Red Bull management already views Isack Hadjar as a serious option for the future lineup.
Marko Backs Progress but Wants Patience
Marko, however, continues to preach caution. He has previously pointed to the Mexican Grand Prix in October as a sensible point of reference for any lineup decision, and he has not shifted from that stance despite ongoing speculation.
“Hadjar has only driven 16 grands prix or so by now, and he’s still learning. And he has a very good relationship with his engineer [Pierre Hamelin]. He’s also French, maybe that helps. But he just has to keep going and developing like he is doing right now,” Marko explained.
Where Hadjar Must Still Improve
The French rookie accepts that he still has work to do in some areas, particularly with the technical feedback teams rely on. “From an engineering point of view, it can maybe still get better. It’s just such a technical world, I would say. As a rookie, that’s where I’m learning the most. Not really driving the car, because I know how to do it.”
Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane highlighted another detail: greater consistency in qualifying. “Of course, he’s working on all areas and what he can do better. If I had to mention one area he could do better on, it’s maybe qualifying.”
Permane stressed this as an opportunity rather than a flaw. “I don’t say that as a negative. I think when he gets it right, we see what he can do – in Zandvoort, he put the car fourth on the grid. He was heading for a similar result in Budapest and didn’t quite get it right, he got caught out by the wind. There’s a couple of times – which is completely understandable in a rookie season – where he didn’t put that final lap together when he was in that final session and the pressure’s there. So if I had one thing he could do slightly better, I guess it’s some qualifying consistency.”
Outlook Ahead of 2026
While Hadjar is still refining aspects of his craft, Marko has no doubt about his trajectory. The upcoming regulation reset provides an opening for new talent, and Red Bull clearly considers Hadjar a top contender to partner Verstappen from 2026.
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