Isack Hadjar Joins F1 with Racing Bulls for 2025
French driver Isack Hadjar is set to make his Formula 1 debut in 2025 with Red Bull's second team, the Racing Bulls, where he will be partnered with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. The announcement fills the final slot on the 2025 F1 grid and marks a significant step for the 20-year-old, who finished second in the Formula 2 championship this year. Hadjar replaces Liam Lawson, who has been promoted to Red Bull's senior team following Sergio Perez's departure to race alongside Max Verstappen.
Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s rapid rise through the junior ranks, saying, “His journey to Formula 1 has been nothing short of outstanding... He has the talent and drive necessary to compete at the highest level, and we have every confidence that he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact.”
Hadjar, who joined Red Bull’s junior program in 2022, expressed his excitement about the promotion. “The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula 1 is the moment I've been working towards my whole life, it is the dream,” he said. “I feel like I'm stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and racing with the best drivers in the world. It'll be a huge learning curve, but I'm ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team.”
Hadjar has already gained experience through practice sessions with Red Bull’s teams over the past two seasons. Reflecting on his new teammate, he said, “I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki, I've always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull Junior Program, like myself, and we've shared a similar path to F1. He's very experienced and will be good to learn from.”
Mekies believes the pairing of Hadjar and Tsunoda will bring a strong dynamic to the team. "We’re excited to have Isack with us next year. He and Yuki will make a great team, and we’re confident he’ll adapt quickly and make an impact.”
The announcement also solidifies Racing Bulls as the official name for Red Bull’s junior team, a rebranding from the previous "RB." According to team CEO Peter Bayer, the change clarifies the team's identity after a year of speculation about the initials.
In 2025, Hadjar will be one of several rookies entering F1. Gabriel Bortoleto, who edged him out for the F2 title, joins Sauber, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli steps into Lewis Hamilton's seat at Mercedes. Jack Doohan and Oliver Bearman are also graduating to full-time race seats with Alpine and Haas, respectively.
With Racing Bulls finishing eighth in the Constructors’ Championship this year, the team will aim to climb higher with its refreshed driver lineup in 2025. Fans are eager to see how Hadjar’s transition to the top tier unfolds as he joins an increasingly competitive grid.
See the F1 2025 field below:
Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Haas: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman
McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Mercedes: George Russel and Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
Racing Bulls: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar
Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson
Williams: Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz
