Red Bull drops iconic Christian Horner’s Tra…read more
Red Bull Racing appears to be closing the door on one of its most recognizable traditions as the team moves deeper into its post-Christian Horner era. For nearly two decades, Horner, the long-standing face of Red Bull’s Formula 1 operations, greeted every newly signed driver with the signature line: “Welcome to Red Bull Racing.” That phrase became a hallmark of his leadership, a small but memorable gesture that symbolized the team’s culture and Horner’s personal connection with his drivers.
However, with Horner no longer leading the team, the custom seems to have quietly come to an end. Rising talent Isack Hadjar, who has just been confirmed as Max Verstappen’s teammate for the 2026 Formula 1 season, revealed that he did not receive the iconic phrase—or even a celebratory phone call—when he was notified of his promotion. Instead, the message came through what he described as simply “a talk” with senior Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
Hadjar’s admission underscores how dramatically things have shifted at Red Bull since Horner’s departure earlier this year. The veteran team principal left his role after the British Grand Prix in July following more than 20 years of service. During his tenure, Horner transformed Red Bull from an energetic newcomer into a Formula 1 superpower. Under his leadership, the outfit claimed six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ titles, shared evenly between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
Following Horner’s exit, Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies stepped into his shoes, taking over as both team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing. With new leadership inevitably comes new ways of doing things, and Hadjar’s experience appears to be the latest sign of change.
Earlier this week, Red Bull officially announced its driver lineup for the 2026 season. Isack Hadjar, who has impressed throughout his rookie F1 campaign with Racing Bulls in 2025, earned a promotion to the senior squad. He will partner reigning world champion Max Verstappen, taking over a highly coveted seat at one of the grid’s most competitive teams.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s sister outfit, Racing Bulls, will field a refreshed lineup featuring Liam Lawson alongside newcomer Arvid Lindblad. Yuki Tsunoda, previously considered a strong contender for a Red Bull Racing seat, will remain within the organisation but only as a test and reserve driver.
For many drivers who came through Red Bull’s system, Horner’s signature welcome was an unforgettable moment. It symbolized the culmination of years of effort, sacrifice, and ambition. Lawson, who spent the 2025 season alongside Hadjar at Racing Bulls, had previously shared his excitement about receiving Horner’s trademark greeting when he was informed of his own promotion the year before. Lawson described the moment as one that validated his journey and made his advancement feel even more momentous.
Hadjar’s experience was decidedly different. When speaking to PlanetF1.com and other media outlets ahead of the Abu Dhabi season finale, he explained that his confirmation came without the personal touch previously associated with the announcement. “There was no very cool phone call,” he said with a hint of amusement. “It was just a talk with Helmut Marko.”
Rather than being disappointed, Hadjar appeared pragmatic about the shift in tradition. For him, the promotion itself carries far more weight than the manner in which it was conveyed. He emphasized that securing a seat with Red Bull Racing represents a milestone achievement in his rapidly rising career. “It’s a very good moment in my career, that’s for sure,” he said, reflecting on the significance of joining one of Formula 1’s top-tier teams.
Still, the subtle loss of Horner’s signature gesture highlights the broader cultural changes unfolding at Red Bull. With a new leadership structure, strategic realignments, and an evolving driver development pipeline, the team is entering a different era—one that may feel less personal and more corporate, but no less ambitious.
Hadjar’s promotion signals Red Bull’s confidence in the next generation of talent as it prepares for the major technical reset coming in the 2026 regulations. And although the famous line “Welcome to Red Bull Racing” may no longer be spoken, the team’s commitment to nurturing future champions remains as strong as ever.
