French driver Isack Hadjar, just 20 years old, has secured a place on the Formula 1 grid for 2025, joining Red Bull’s second outfit, Racing Bulls. His journey from Red Bull’s junior programme to one of motorsport’s most prestigious stages is a testament to perseverance and potential.

A Bold Move Propels French Talent into F1 Limelight

The Ascendancy of a Young Champion

The narrative of Isack Hadjar’s rise to Formula 1 is nothing short of remarkable. At just 20, he becomes one of the youngest drivers on the 2025 grid, alongside other fresh faces like Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman. Hadjar’s career began with part-time participation in French F4 in 2019, where he quickly demonstrated his raw talent. By 2020, he had solidified his position with a third-place finish in the same series, marking him as a rising star.Building on this momentum, Hadjar advanced to Formula Regional European in 2021, securing a respectable fifth-place finish. The following year saw him transition to Formula 3, where he narrowly missed out on the title but still managed an impressive fourth-place finish. Despite a less stellar performance in his first year of Formula 2, Red Bull’s faith in him remained unshaken. In 2024, he rebounded spectacularly, finishing second in F2, proving that he was ready for the next challenge.

A Strategic Shift at Red Bull

Red Bull’s decision to promote Hadjar to the Racing Bulls team was influenced by several factors. Sergio Perez’s unexpected decline in form and subsequent departure created a vacancy that needed filling. Although Perez’s contract extended beyond 2025, his underperformance necessitated a change. This opened the door for Hadjar, who had been closely monitored by Red Bull throughout his development.Hadjar’s promotion also signifies a broader strategy within Red Bull’s ecosystem. With Liam Lawson moving up to the main Red Bull Racing team, Hadjar’s inclusion ensures continuity in the nurturing of young talent. Red Bull’s commitment to developing its drivers through its junior programmes is evident in these strategic moves. Racing Bulls, in particular, serves as a crucial incubator for future F1 stars, and Hadjar’s arrival underscores this mission.

France Reclaims Its Seat at the Table

Hadjar’s entry into Formula 1 marks a significant moment for French motorsport. After scaling back to just two full-time drivers—Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon—following Romain Grosjean’s departure in 2020, France now boasts three representatives on the grid. This resurgence highlights the country’s enduring passion for racing and its ability to produce world-class talent.Hadjar will be Yuki Tsunoda’s fifth different teammate at Racing Bulls, following in the footsteps of Gasly, Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson. Each of these drivers brought unique experiences to the team, and Hadjar is poised to add his own chapter to this legacy. His familiarity with the Red Bull junior programme and shared path with Tsunoda create a foundation for mutual growth and learning.

A Fresh Perspective for Racing Bulls

Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls’ team boss, praised Hadjar for bringing “a new and fresh dynamic” to the team. Mekies emphasized that Hadjar’s journey to F1 is “nothing short of outstanding,” reflecting the team’s belief in nurturing young talent. Peter Bayer, the team’s CEO, echoed this sentiment, noting that Hadjar’s promotion aligns with their strategic objective of fostering and preparing drivers for the next level.Bayer highlighted that the promotion of Liam Lawson to Red Bull Racing and the signing of Hadjar are testaments to the effectiveness of the Red Bull junior programme. He stressed that having a younger driver not only supports their mission but also helps engage a younger audience, ensuring the sport remains relevant and exciting for future generations.Hadjar himself expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the support of his family and those who believed in him. He views this step as a chance to learn from experienced drivers like Tsunoda while contributing to the team’s success. As he steps into this new universe, Hadjar is prepared to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.