Hadjar’s F1 career started on a low note when he spun out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in the wet on the formation lap. He broke down in tears and was consoled by Hamilton’s father Anthony on his walk back to the Racing Bulls garage.
But since then he has been one of the stand-out rookies this season, with an average grid position of 10th and beating team-mate Liam Lawson in qualifying 22 times to five at an average advantage of 0.186 seconds.
Hadjar lies 10th in the championship with one grand prix remaining this season.
But he faces a stiff challenge against Verstappen, who has comprehensively outperformed all his team-mates since Daniel Ricciardo left Red Bull at the end of 2018.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said: “Isack has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport.
“We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track.”
Hadjar described it as “an awesome move” and said he felt “ready”.
For the seat alongside Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with Red Bull but was demoted to the junior team in a swap with Tsunoda. He struggled badly alongside Verstappen, to the extent that Red Bull felt they had no choice but to remove him from the seat.
But he has settled back into F1 at Racing Bulls and some strong performances – including a fifth place in Azerbaijan and sixth in Austria – have convinced Red Bull he deserves more time.
He has completed 34 starts across three years but will be embarking on his second full season in 2026.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected from an F1 race seat after a disappointing season alongside Verstappen.
The 25-year-old had long felt he merited a chance at the main Red Bull team but he has not been able to justify his position.
His best result is a sixth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and he has scored only 7% of Red Bull’s points in the constructors’ championship.
