Photo: Race Pictures

Hadjar reveals details of phone call with Marko after Red Bull promotion

11:43, 04 Dec

byTobia Elia

Isack Hadjar has shared his first words following the announcement that he will race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026.

“It's just the beginning of a new journey, but I'm very excited and stepping into a new era of Formula 1 as well”

- Isack Hadjar

Earlier this week, Red Bull confirmed what GPblog had already reported: his promotion Red Bull next year, taking Yuki Tsunoda’s seat.

When asked what this opportunity means to him, the Frenchman told GPblog in Abu Dhabi: “It's a very good moment in my career, that's for sure, for all the hard work through the years being rewarded now. Obviously, it's just the beginning of a new journey, but I'm very excited and stepping into a new era of Formula 1 as well. I think it's very good timing.”

When asked how the announcement came about, Hadjar added: “There was no cool phone call where I pick up the phone and it’s like ‘you’re a Red Bull Racing driver,’ it’s not really how it worked.

“It was like, 'you’re driving for Red Bull.' It’s just a talk with Helmut that made me understand I was driving for Red Bull and I had to deliver, that’s it.”

Isack Hadjar - Photo: RacePictures

Lawson shares the moment he learned he had secured a 2026 F1 seat

While Hadjar has earned the huge opportunity to race alongside Verstappen, Lawson will remain in Formula 1 next year with Racing Bulls — this time paired with a new teammate, Arvid Lindblad.

The New Zealander was demoted earlier this season after just two races to make room for Yuki Tsunoda, who, of the four, is the one left without a seat for next year.

Speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of the Abu Dhabi weekend, here’s how Lawson found out he would be staying with the Faenza team.

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