French driver Isack Hadjar will join his idol Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year after a great rookie season, while Yuki Tsunoda lost his Formula 1 seat.
In addition, the British Arvid Lindblad will debut in F1 with Racing Bulls.
Hadjar, 21, was rewarded for a debut campaign in which he regularly outperformed Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson. His most notable performance was third place at the Dutch Grand Prix, making him the fifth-youngest driver to reach the podium in F1 history.
“It’s an incredible move, working with the best and learning from Max is something I can’t wait for,” Hadjar said.
Lindblad, 18, will be the only rookie on the grid next season as the F2 driver takes Hadjar’s old seat.
Hadjar’s great challenge will be to be able to complement Verstappen, who will have his fourth teammate in just over a year.
“He has shown great maturity and is a quick learner,” said Laurent Mekies, CEO and director of Oracle Red Bull Racing. “The most important thing is that he has exhibited the pure speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe that Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce magic on the track,” he explained.
After Red Bull parted ways with Mexican Sergio Pérez at the end of 2024 following a disappointing season, New Zealander Lawson lasted just two races before being sent back to Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda taking his place.
Tsunoda’s best finish is sixth in 21 races for Red Bull, with Verstappen taking seven wins during that span. He has been in F1 for five seasons but is yet to reach the podium and tends to air his frustrations on the radio. Tsunoda will remain Red Bull as reserve driver.
The decision to dispense with Tsunoda coincides with the start of a new partnership between Red Bull and Ford to supply engines instead of Honda.
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