Red Bull Confirms Max Verstappen’s 2026 Formula 1 Team-Mate in Major Announcement
Red Bull Racing has officially ended months of speculation by confirming that Isack Hadjar will be promoted to the senior team as Max Verstappen’s team-mate for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The announcement settles one of the sport’s most widely debated topics, bringing clarity to a seat that has seen more turnover than any other in recent years.
A Long-Awaited Decision
The identity of Verstappen’s next partner had remained uncertain deep into the 2025 season. Red Bull had been evaluating two key internal candidates: Yuki Tsunoda, who was promoted to the senior team during the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, and Isack Hadjar, who had been impressing consistently with Racing Bulls.
Ultimately, the team opted for the rising French star whose performances throughout 2025 have repeatedly caught the attention of Red Bull management. The decision marks a pivotal moment in Hadjar’s young career, as he is set to step into one of the most demanding — and historically unforgiving — seats in Formula 1.
Hadjar’s Rise Through the Red Bull System
The 20-year-old driver’s promotion caps off a rapid ascent through the Red Bull programme. Hadjar’s 2025 campaign with Racing Bulls has been his breakthrough season, highlighted by a series of strong Sundays and a level of consistency that stood out in a highly competitive midfield.
His most outstanding moment came during the Dutch Grand Prix, where he delivered a sensational qualifying performance to secure fourth place on the grid. Throughout the race he maintained his composure, running solidly inside the top four before moving up to a surprise third place finishing position after Lando Norris retired late in the race. That podium marked a defining moment in Hadjar’s profile, confirming that he could handle pressure at circuits where mistakes are severely punished.
Beyond his podium heroics, Hadjar collected nine points finishes over the course of the season and ultimately outscored his teammate, Liam Lawson, in the Racing Bulls standings. His steady improvement, ability to adapt quickly, and race-craft maturity contributed greatly to Red Bull’s final decision.
Why Tsunoda Was Overlooked
For Tsunoda, the decision marks another frustrating chapter in his turbulent Red Bull journey. He finally received his long-awaited opportunity in the senior team during the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix — a move that came after years of development with AlphaTauri and Racing Bulls.
However, Tsunoda struggled to deliver the level of performance Red Bull had hoped to see. Although he showed glimpses of speed, his results were inconsistent, and he failed to establish himself as the clear long-term option to partner Verstappen.
With Red Bull’s expectations notoriously high, the team felt that Hadjar offered greater potential, momentum, and long-term strategic value heading into the new 2026 regulations.
The Most Difficult Seat in Formula 1?
Hadjar will now occupy what has become known as the “poisoned chalice” in modern F1. Since 2018, the second Red Bull seat has become infamous for its rapid turnover, with the team cycling through a long list of talented drivers who, for various reasons, were unable to cement their place alongside Verstappen.
The list includes:
Daniel Ricciardo
Pierre Gasly
Alex Albon
Sergio Pérez
Liam Lawson
Yuki Tsunod
Many of these drivers departed the team abruptly, were demoted, or left the Red Bull system entirely after struggling to match Verstappen’s extraordinary pace and consistency.
Hadjar now steps into this high-pressure environment at the dawn of F1’s new 2026 regulations, a period that will redefine power unit architecture and car design philosophy. With the field expected to reset somewhat, Red Bull is betting that Hadjar’s adaptability and raw speed will complement Verstappen as the team prepares for the next competitive cycle.
The Bigger Picture for Red Bull
Red Bull’s final decision reinforces its long-term commitment to developing young talent from within its academy systems. While the team considered the option of recruiting from outside the programme, senior management believed that Hadjar had earned the seat on merit and demonstrated the kind of future potential that aligns with Red Bull’s objectives for the post-2026 era.
Lawson, who was never seriously considered for a senior team return, remains part of the greater Red Bull driver pool, though his future role is now unclear.
With Hadjar stepping up and Verstappen anchoring the team, Red Bull enters 2026 with a blend of experience and youthful promise. The move signals both a fresh chapter for the Frenchman and a strategic commitment from Red Bull as they prepare to defend their dominance in a radically changing Formula 1 landscape.
A poll accompanying the announcement invites fans to weigh in:
Is Isack Hadjar the right choice for Red Bull?
Yes – He has proven he is ready
No – Yuki Tsunoda should have been retained
No – Liam Lawson deserved another shot
No – Red Bull should have sought talent outside their programme.
