Isack Hadjar ready for 'beginning of a new journey' after meteoric rise at Red Bull

Live updates from 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Isack Hadjar is used to getting good news around this time of the year.

Twelve months ago, he was competing for the Formula 2 Championship in the title decider at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

That same weekend, he drove Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car in a free practice session in the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as the team’s reserve driver. Soon after, the French-Algerian youngster was confirmed an F1 seat with Racing Bulls for 2025.

What followed was a standout rookie season for Hadjar, who enters this weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi looking to lock down P10 in the championship.

The 21-year-old scored 10 top-10 finishes this campaign, including a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, and earned himself more good news this week as he was officially promoted to drive alongside Verstappen for Red Bull in 2026.

Going from F2 to Red Bull Racing in F1 in the span of 12 months could cause anyone whiplash, but Hadjar is taking it all in his stride and talks and acts like he was truly made for this.

“It's a very good moment in my career, that's for sure,” he told reporters at Yas Marina Circuit.

“For all the hard work through the years being rewarded now. Obviously, it's just the beginning of a new journey, but yeah, I'm very excited and stepping into a new era of Formula One as well. I think it's very good timing.”

Hadjar said he learnt about his promotion during the Qatar race week and explained there was no special phone call he received to break the news.

“It was just a talk with Helmut [Marko, Red Bull adviser and head of driver development programme] I had. He made me understand I was driving for Red Bull, and I had to deliver. That’s it,” he added.

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri takes part in practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc during the first practice at Yas Marina Circuit McLaren driver Lando Norris led the way during practice on Friday Lando Norris set the pace during practice at Yas Marina Circuit Aston Martin team practice changing the tyres at the Yas Marina Circuit. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National McLaren team practice changing the tyres ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 McLaren driver Lando Norris arrives for practice day Williams driver Carlos Sainz at the Yas Marina Circuit Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc arrives for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend McLaren driver Oscar Piastri at Yas Marina Circuit James Vowles, team principle of Williams, in Abu Dhabi Haas driver Oliver Bearman arrives for practice day. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025.