Red Bull Reshuffles: Hadjar Steps In, Tsunoda Steps Out in 2026
The checkered flag is waving once again for the 2026 silly season, and Red Bull was just thrown a curveball that’s got everyone talking. In a seismic shift for the Milton Keynes powerhouse, French-Algerian phenom Isack Hadjar will get the keys to the championship-winning machine, slotting in alongside the titan of modern Formula 1, Max Verstappen.
This is the big one, folks. The kind of move that defines careers and sends shockwaves through the sport. Hadjar, a kid who has shown nothing but raw, unadulterated speed in his rookie season, is being catapulted from the midfield to the pinnacle of motorsport. You don’t get a Red Bull seat by accident. You earn it with grit, talent, and a fire in your belly. And Hadjar has shown he’s got all three.
Hadjar’s Rise to the Top
Let’s be honest, the whispers about Hadjar were getting louder with every race weekend. He’s been a revelation, a rookie who drives with the cool-headed racecraft of a seasoned veteran. Scoring points in ten Grand Prixs this year is impressive enough, but that maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix? That was something special. In front of Verstappen’s home crowd, under immense pressure, he didn’t just survive. He thrived.
He put the car where it belonged and brought home the hardware.Laurent Mekies, the head honcho at Oracle Red Bull Racing, didn’t mince words. “He has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport,” Mekies stated. “We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track!”
That’s a hell of a vote of confidence. Partnering with Max Verstappen is arguably the most challenging job in racing. You’re going up against a generational talent in the same equipment. But Red Bull isn’t looking for a number two driver; they’re looking for the next superstar. They believe Hadjar has what it takes not just to follow, but to push.
A New Look for Racing Bulls and a Hard Goodbye
The ripple effect of Hadjar’s promotion has completely reshaped the driver lineup at the sister team, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. The squad will field an exciting mix of proven talent and fresh blood, with Liam Lawson retaining his seat for a second full season. Lawson fought his way into F1 and has proven time and again that he deserves to be there.
Alongside him will be a brand new face on the F1 grid, Arvid Lindblad. The Red Bull rookie is jumping straight from the feeder series due to his impressive practice outings and unique, aggressive driving style. The move may seem bold, but it’s long overdue and well-deserved for the young talent.
Red Bull saw his potential and knew they had to act on it. However, with every driver’s new beginning, another succumbs to the bitter end, and in this case, that man is Yuki Tsunoda. The fan-favorite Japanese driver, known for his fiery personality and blistering speed, will lose his full-time race seat.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a driver who has matured immensely over his five seasons. While he’ll stay in the family as a reserve driver, the grid just won’t be the same without his radio messages lighting up the broadcast. It’s a reminder that Formula 1 is a cutthroat business and sometimes being your best isn’t good enough.
The Road Ahead for Hadjar and Red Bull
For Isack Hadjar, the real work starts now. The pressure will be immense, the scrutiny relentless. He’s stepping into a team built around a four-time World Champion, with the expectation to deliver results from day one. But the kid seems ready.
“After all the hard work I have put in since joining the Junior Team, it’s such a great reward,” Hadjar said, the emotion clear in his voice. “I feel ready to go to Oracle Red Bull Racing, and I am happy and proud they feel the same. It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for.”
Final Thoughts
With the radical new regulations coming in 2026, Red Bull is betting on a blend of Verstappen’s championship experience and Hadjar’s raw, untapped potential. It’s a gamble, for sure, but one that could pay off spectacularly. The stage is set, the pieces are in place. Now, all that’s left is to go racing.
