Why Red Bull have committed to Hadjar for a second season
Many drivers have struggled to make an impact alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, often facing the threat of being benched or cut loose. However, Isack Hadjar appears to have bucked this trend, earning a second season with the six-time World Champion in 2027.
A Resilient Return to the Grid
The Frenchman is making his racing return this weekend after missing three consecutive events due to a wrist injury. Before this period of misfortune, Hadjar was on an immense run of form. After scoring in his second race with the team, he maintained high consistency, scoring in seven races from the fifth event onwards. This included a superb podium on the streets of Monte Carlo, which propelled him to P8 in the Drivers' Championship with 71 pointsâtrailing teammate Verstappen by just 38 points and two positions.
Hadjarâs performance metrics are highly competitive; on average, he qualifies just two places behind Verstappen and remains within two-tenths of a second on pure pace. This is particularly impressive given the level at which Max Verstappen operates.
Proving the Potential
One of Hadjar's standout moments came in Belgium. Following a series of penalties for engine component changes that saw him start 21st, he staged a stunning recovery. Utilizing a bold tyre strategy that required two early pit stops followed by a long final stint on the hard compound, he charged through the field to finish sixth.
Team boss Laurent Mekies praised the performance, noting it was Hadjar's âbest race with us, no question.â Mekies added, âHonestly, it's not only a spike, it has been just a little bit better every single race for speed. I'm very happy with his progress.â
Breaking the Trend of Instability
Hadjarâs ability to handle the pressure of the second seat provides much-needed continuity for Red Bull Racing, especially as the team seeks to return to the front of the grid. While recent seasons saw shorter stints from drivers like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, Hadjar has demonstrated the speed and mental fortitude required to stay.
The decision to back a Red Bull junior for a second season mirrors a wider trend where top teams like Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari are opting for stability. With the Red Bull junior pipeline appearing healthyâhighlighted by Arvid Lindbladâs rookie season and Nikola Tsolovâs F2 leadershipâthe team has found a reliable partner for Verstappen.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.