Isack Hadjar has his eyes set on a Red Bull Racing seat for 2026. The young French driver isn’t shy about his ambitions, even as he acknowledges that joining the championship team alongside Max Verstappen would be a massive challenge.
After claiming a podium in the Netherlands, Hadjar made it clear that while jumping to Red Bull this season would be too soon, he’s absolutely targeting that move within two years.
“It’s always something I have in mind, and there are nine races left to prove I keep doing a good job,” he told GPblog.
The timing makes sense. With major regulation changes coming next season, Hadjar believes joining in 2026 would be “way easier” than being thrown in alongside Verstappen right now.
Surprisingly, Hadjar doesn’t seem intimidated by the prospect of having the three-time world champion as a teammate.
“I want to drive for the best team, that’s all I want really,” he said.
He’s remarkably practical about the potential pairing, too.
“I mean if I happen to be alongside him (Verstappen), I would be adapting to a car that’s changing, but at least I’d be there. So I wouldn’t be used to something. I can drive the car that’s underneath me.”
## No conversations with Marko yet
Despite his clear ambitions, Hadjar hasn’t actually discussed these plans with Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s influential advisor who famously makes or breaks young drivers’ careers.
“Me personally, I haven’t. But to be honest, I’m not in a rush,” the Racing Bulls driver explained.
He’s well aware that his current performances will determine whether these dreams become reality.
“If I start getting beaten every race weekend until the end of the year, then yes, it’s not going to be good for me.”
