Red Bull’s second seat has always been a topic of discussion and at times controversy. At the beginning of the season, the Milton Keynes-based team replaced Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda to improve the performance of the second seat. However, Tsunoda, with more experience, hasn’t been able to deliver either. So, in true Red Bull fashion, eyes have been set on the new diamond of the season: Isack Hadjar. And it all seems to point to a 2026 Red Bull debut for the Frenchman.
Rumors have confirmed that Arvid Lindblad, currently a Formula 2 driver, will have a seat in Red Bull’s junior team. A promotion that almost automatically propels Hadjar to the main team.
How the cards are stacking up for Isack Hadjar
Arvid Lindblad’s strong campaign in Formula 2 earned him seventh in the Driver’s Championship, convincing Red Bull of his potential. Rumors strongly suggest that the British-Swedish driver’s step up to Formula 1 is a done deal.
That move from the Red Bull camp sparks further speculation. With Yuki Tsunoda struggling in the Red Bull car, questions arise about both his and Liam Lawson’s future. Fewer questions remain about Isack Hadjar, however, as the Frenchman made his case undeniable with a stellar performance this season.
Isack Hadjar impressed from the moment he set foot in the Racing Bulls car. Dubbed by many as the rookie of the season, his performance has placed him ninth in the Drivers’ Championship.
The Racing Bulls driver has shown impressive qualifying pace, which helped him secure an outstanding fourth position in his Zandvoort outing. Even more surprising: Hadjar’s consistency paid off with a podium position once Lando Norris retired ahead of him. The 20-year-old earned the Racing Bulls their first podium at the Dutch Grand Prix since Pierre Gasly’s third place in Baku 2021.
Pure pace and grit are exactly why the Frenchman is on Red Bull’s radar.
Red Bull’s infamous second seat looms over Hadjar’s potential
There’s no doubt that Isack is earning his place with results and performance. Still, concerns remain about the rookie’s readiness to line up on the grid as Max Verstappen‘s teammate. History shows that drivers paired with the Dutchman have rarely settled in easily.
Several of Verstappen’s teammates have admitted that the Red Bull car operates on a knife-edge, making it extremely difficult to handle. And while the Dutchman has remained the team’s only constant for nearly a decade, the second seat has rotated through six different drivers.
To question Isack Hadjar’s readiness for the second seat is valid, but his talent is undeniable. The hope is that it pays off and that Hadjar doesn’t just end up as yet another name in Red Bull’s endless list of second drivers.
