Helmut Marko has just dropped his biggest hint yet that Isack Hadjar will join Red Bull in 2026

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Isack Hadjar has been one of the most impressive rookies of the current class due to his performances at Racing Bulls in 2025, and Helmut Marko has dropped his biggest hint yet regarding a potential move to Red Bull for the upcoming season.

The Frenchman’s season has been highlighted by a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in August as he became the second rookie, after Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli, to secure a maiden podium in their debut season.

Even before his third-place finish at Zandvoort, Hadjar was tipped for a Red Bull move amid the rising pressure of Yuki Tsunoda to bring back results after what has been a lacklustre start to his career with the senior team.

Max Verstappen is a fan of Hadjar’s ability as well as the way that the Frenchman carries himself off the track. It is looking increasingly likely that the two drivers will partner with each other at Red Bull following Marko’s latest comments on the youngster.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

Helmut Marko sees 2026 as the ‘best time’ to promote Isack Hadjar to Red Bull

After previously stating that he was sceptical about stepping up, Hadjar recently changed his mind about a Red Bull move, stating that he is now ‘ready for anything’ that may come his way in terms of a switch for 2026.

Speaking from inside the paddock, journalist Ronald Vording shared Marko’s latest sentiment on Hadjar’s promotion to the senior team within the Red Bull stable, saying, “People in the paddock have made it quite clear that Hadjar is absolutely in pole position to be promoted to the seat alongside Max Verstappen next year.

“Today there was another hint: Hadjar himself has said, at both Zandvoort and Monza, that the 2026 regulation changes would be the very best moment to step up.

“I asked Marko about it today. He agreed, saying these ground-effect cars are very specific, and next year will require a different driving style. With many drivers starting from scratch, that would indeed be the best time for such a move.

“He added that they’re sticking to their timeline. In other words, they’ll take until Mexico, watch the next races carefully, and only then decide. But all these signs point pretty clearly to where things are going.”

Jamie Chadwick believes Hadjar’s Red Bull move is inevitable, given the performances of Tsunoda. The British racing driver believes the Austrian constructor must prioritise their line-up over Racing Bulls due to the fact that they are the front-running team.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko? Everything to know

What will Red Bull do with Yuki Tsunoda if Isack Hadjar is promoted to the team?

The natural move for Tsunoda if he is ousted from his seat at Red Bull would be a move back to the Faenza-based team that he has spent the majority of his F1 career at.

However, the Japanese driver may be facing competition there as well, as Marko would prefer to give Arvid Lindblad a full-time F1 debut there instead.

If Marko’s wish comes true, the 25-year-old could find himself off the grid in 2026 if he fails to secure a drive at a rival F1 team.

Alpine remains the only realistic option for Tsunoda outside of the Red Bull stable, and it could be likely due to the question that lingers over Franco Colapinto’s future with the team.

However, Laurent Mekies is against letting Tsunoda leave the Red Bull family. After taking over from Christian Horner in July, the Frenchman doesn’t want to make the same mistakes as his predecessor when it comes to letting talented drivers leave the team too early.