Red Bull to give rookie Isack Hadjar full‑team backing for 2026

Red Bull Racing announced rookie Isack Hadjar will receive full‑team backing for his first season alongside four‑time champion Max Verstappen in 2026. Team principal Laurent Mekies, who replaced Christian Horner in July 2025, said the outfit will support Hadjar 360 degrees as the new regulations reshape the car.

Why it matters:

• Hadjar’s rapid rise from the Red Bull junior program signals a shift in the driver pipeline.
• A competitive second car is essential for Red Bull to defend its Constructors’ title under the 2026 rules.
• A strong rookie can pressure rivals and reinforce Red Bull’s dominance.

The details:

• Hadjar impressed in his rookie F1 season with sister team Racing Bulls, earning promotion to the senior squad.
• Recent driver swaps—replacing Sergio Perez, demoting Liam Lawson and moving Yuki Tsunoda to reserve—show Red Bull’s willingness to reshuffle for performance.
• Mekies hailed Hadjar’s “incredible starting speed,” likening his baseline to the sport’s best.
• He stressed that progress comes from engineering dialogue, maturity, and mastering the 2026 aero package.
• Red Bull will deliver a 360‑degree support package: data analysis, dedicated engineers and a focused physical‑mental program in London.

What's next:

• Hadjar will join pre‑season testing in early 2026, where the new power‑unit and aero limits will be evaluated.
• Red Bull aims to close the gap on the second car, a key factor in defending the Constructors’ title.
• Mekies expects the rookie to adapt quickly but warns the 2026 regulation reset will demand a steep learning curve for the whole team.