Craig Slater says Isack Hadjar has now changed his mind about joining Red Bull in 2026

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Isack Hadjar has been one of the breakout drivers on the Formula 1 grid in 2025. This has inevitably led to suggestions that he could join Red Bull next year.

Max Verstappen has committed to Red Bull for 2026, but Yuki Tsunoda’s contract is expiring and his results haven’t yet been good enough to secure an extension. Tsunoda enters the Italian Grand Prix 19th in the championship, an unthinkable position for the team.

Hadjar, meanwhile, leapt into the top 10 with a 15-point haul at the Dutch Grand Prix. His maiden podium finish has made his Red Bull promotion case extremely strong.

But the Frenchman’s comments, both in public and private, have raised doubts about whether he really wants the seat. A recent report suggested Hadjar’s camp were ‘highly resistant’ to a Red Bull move.

Isack Hadjar is now willing to take the risk of partnering Max Verstappen

Hadjar has seen a string of drivers unravel alongside Verstappen, dating back to Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement, Pierre Gasly, in 2019. The consensus is that the car is built around the lead driver’s rather extreme preferences.

This alleged singular focus on Verstappen has caused significant reputational damage to drivers who were previously highly rated. Back in June, Hadjar admitted that the move would be ‘scary’ (via F1’s official website).

Speaking on the Paddock Uncut show at Monza, Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater said team Hadjar were previously pushing the narrative that he ‘shouldn’t be rushed’. They preferred to stay at Racing Bulls for a second year.

But Hadjar now thinks he’s ready for Red Bull. It remains to be seen whether his hesitation has sown any doubts for Laurent Mekies and Helmut Marko.

“There was a little bit of a push, it felt, from his camp that he shouldn’t be rushed alongside Max Verstappen,” said Slater. “But our understanding now is that has maybe changed in his own mind.”

Jolyon Palmer warns Isack Hadjar about ‘cosy midfield team’ Racing Bulls

Speaking on F1TV’s Weekend Warm-Up Show, Jolyon Palmer told Hadjar that 2026 would be the ‘perfect’ time to move. The major rules changes will mean even Verstappen is ‘starting from zero’.

What’s more, Verstappen is reportedly free to leave Red Bull for 2027 if he’s not satisfied with their performance. It’s feasible that Hadjar could be the ‘lead driver’ at Milton Keynes.

Palmer has warned that the Frenchman can’t get too comfortable at ‘cosy midfield team’ Racing Bulls. He wants to show ambition and back himself to break the Red Bull second-driver cycle.

“I know there’s been a lot of chat from Isack as well saying, ‘I don’t know if I want to be at Red Bull’, because he’s seen Liam Lawson, he’s seen Yuki Tsunoda jump in and struggle.

“But basically, if he wants to win in Formula 1, you can’t sit in a nice, cosy midfield team forever. And I think next year is the perfect chance for him because it’s the new regulations, so both him and Max would be starting from zero.

“Okay, maybe Max knows the team, but it’s not a car that’s necessarily been designed so much around Max. The new regs are going to throw everything wide open. And as you say, the Max future chatter will come again.

“So if Isack can come in and do a good job, he could end up being the Red Bull lead driver at some point in the future.”