Isack Hadjar admits it would be ‘very painful’ to leave Racing Bulls despite chance to join Red Bull

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Isack Hadjar has disclosed why it would be ‘very painful’ for him to leave Racing Bulls amid the highly likely scenario that he will be a Red Bull driver next season.

The rookie has been one of the brightest talents to make their mark on the sport in the current campaign, with his podium at the Dutch GP serving as the icing on the cake amongst a swathe of impressive results.

Hadjar is seen as the perfect successor to Max Verstappen at the Austrian constructor. Leadership figures within Red Bull are extremely keen on getting him into the front-running team as soon as possible.

A decision is yet to be made over the future of Yuki Tsunoda following his difficulties in the RB21 this season.

The conclusion of the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend is expected to reveal the fate of the Japanese driver, and if Helmut Marko’s praise of Hadjar is anything to go by, the Frenchman will likely be in Red Bull colours next year.

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Isack Hadjar admits that leaving Racing Bulls for Red Bull will be ‘very painful’

With the Faenza-based outfit being the home of the Frenchman for the entirety of his short stint so far in F1, Hadjar has been able to blossom with a team that has nurtured previous world champions in Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer is a big fan of Hadjar and has urged Red Bull to keep their hands off until at least the end of next season, but is also aware that he is powerless to stop them.

It is understood that Red Bull sees F1’s 2026 regulatory reset as the perfect time to get the 21-year-old accustomed to the car he will be driving in the future, as well as hoping that it will give him the best chance to compete closely against future teammate Verstappen.

Ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Hadjar was asked by Sky Sport Italia if he would miss his current colleagues at Racing Bulls if the call-up to Red Bull proves to take place.

Hadjar replied, “Obviously, my goal is to go to Red Bull; I can’t hide it. However, at the same time, it will be very painful if I have to leave the team, because I am having a lot of fun.”

READ MORE: Red Bull already know ‘perils’ that ‘underrated’ Isack Hadjar may face as Max Verstappen’s teammate

Isack Hadjar also gave his verdict on being crowned as the best rookie of the 2025 F1 season

Hadjar was also asked about his fellow rookies by Sky Sport Italia, and his thoughts on whether he should be classed as the best rookie of the season due to his impressive showings.

The one-time podium-sitter answered, “I like to think about it, but at the same time, it is too difficult.

“Compare why I don’t have the same car as Kimi [Antonelli], Gabriel [Bortoleto] or Ollie [Bearman]. I would say yes, but I have no evidence to prove it.”

As well as his performances in racing conditions, Hadjar has also been mightily quick in Saturday’s qualifying sessions.

Up until the Italian Grand Prix in September, the Frenchman was the only driver on the grid to have never exited qualifying in Q1. However, a crash at the most recent round of racing in Austin gave him his second Q1 exit, and Hadjar was visibly frustrated.

Asked if he had taken time to reflect on the incident at the United States GP, he replied, “I am still very angry about last weekend; it did not go well at all.

“We weren’t as competitive as usual; that’s why I’m so hungry, and I can’t wait to get back in the car.”