Oracle Red Bull Racing has officially revealed its future: in 2026, four-time World Champion Max Verstappen will be joined by Isack Hadjar. It’s a move that marks a generational shift and launches the team into the new technical cycle set to begin in two seasons.
Hadjar, just 21 years old and already impressive in his rookie Formula One season with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, has turned heads thanks to his raw speed and rapid development. His first podium, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix, showcased a talent now ready for the big step. Red Bull is entrusting him with a leading role in the year that will also see the debut of the new Red Bull–Ford power units and the most significant regulatory revolution in decades.
His arrival also brings an emotional moment: Red Bull bids farewell to Yuki Tsunoda as a race driver. Joining the Junior Team in 2019, Tsunoda has contested more than a hundred races between Racing Bulls and Red Bull, winning fans and paddock respect with his aggressive style, steady technical growth, and lively personality. In 2026, he will remain part of the Red Bull family as test and reserve driver, supporting the development of the new project.
Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, highlighted Tsunoda’s evolution: a driver who has matured year after year, extremely fast on Saturdays and capable of exceptional race starts on Sundays. At the same time, Mekies expressed strong confidence in Hadjar, praising the maturity and rapid learning displayed in his debut season: “We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and create magic on track. 2026 will be a major challenge: exciting times lie ahead.”
Hadjar, visibly excited, described the move as a “fantastic step” in his career, thanking Red Bull for its trust and recalling the difficult moments overcome along the way: “Racing with the best and learning from Max is an incredible opportunity. I feel ready.”
Red Bull now looks to 2026 with a driver pairing that blends Verstappen’s unmatched experience with Hadjar’s rising talent: the ideal mix to take on Formula One’s new era.
G.A.
