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Red Bull Extends Hadjar's Contract for 2027
Confirmed
In Short: Red Bull's decision to extend Hadjar's contract comes after a series of challenges in finding an effective teammate for Verstappen.
Red Bull has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will continue as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The French driver, who missed the last three races due to a wrist injury, is set to return at this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Hadjar, 21, was promoted to the senior Red Bull team this season after a successful rookie year with Racing Bulls. Team principal Laurent Mekies described the decision to extend Hadjar's contract as 'an easy decision,' noting that Hadjar had been 'superb on and off track' since joining the team.
Hadjar's best result this season came with a third-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. He currently sits eighth in the World Championship with 71 points, despite missing the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain races due to his injury.
Red Bull also announced that Verstappen will remain with the team through the end of 2030, setting the stage for Hadjar's second season alongside the four-time world champion.
Hadjar's injury occurred while he was boxing as part of his training program. During his absence, Liam Lawson filled in for him in the Red Bull seat.
Over the first half of the season, Hadjar was 0.239 seconds slower than Verstappen on average in qualifying but out-qualified the Dutchman three times in Australia, Japan, and Britain.
Hadjar expressed his excitement about the new deal, saying, 'We still have a lot we want to achieve this season, but it's a great feeling to know that the drivers, engineers and everyone back at the factory are all heading in the same direction, committed and together.
Red Bull's decision to extend Hadjar's contract comes after a series of challenges in finding an effective teammate for Verstappen. The team has struggled to find a suitable partner for Verstappen, with recent drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and others failing to match Verstappen's performance.
Despite the challenges, Hadjar's performance this season has been impressive, and Red Bull sees him as a valuable asset moving forward. The team's decision to extend Hadjar's contract solidifies Red Bull's driver lineup for 2027, joining Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren in locking in their driver lineups for next year.
What's confirmed
- Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies described the move as "an easy decision".
What's still developing
- Autosport said Racing Bulls had incumbents Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, and it also noted junior driver Nikola Tsolov was waiting in the wings.
- Although Hadjar did not compete in the last three rounds due to injury, Hadjar made an impressive start to life at Red Bull, taking a podium finish in his sixth appearance in Monaco.
- Perez’s replacement lasted just two rounds at the start of last year before Red Bull dropped him.
- Hadjar said he is “really excited” by his new deal.
- 23rd September 2026, 8:35 23rd September 2026, 8:54 | Written by Keith Collantine Red Bull has given a vote of confidence to Isack Hadjar, extending his contract to drive for the team again next year.
- Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced Lawson, ended the season with the largest points deficit to a team mate ever seen in F1, leading Red Bull to make another change.
- Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Red Bull had already announced last month that four-time world champion Verstappen signed a new contract to stay at the team until at least the end of 2030.
- The current F2 championship leader is Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov and history shows Red Bull are keen to give youngsters an F1 opportunity at the earliest opportunity.
- However, Red Bull have a tricky decision to make as both current Racing Bulls drivers of Arvid Lindblad and Lawson are performing very well this year, so dropping one of them would be harsh.
- That leaves Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin as the only teams yet to nail down their drivers for next year - but there could be changes.