Red Bull Racing confirmed on Wednesday that Isack Hadjar has signed a new contract to stay with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The announcement comes after Hadjar’s impressive rookie campaign, during which he earned a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix and another at Monaco, despite missing three races earlier in the year due to a wrist injury.
Team principal lauds Hadjar’s contributions
Team principal Laurent Mekies said the organization is “very excited to continue our journey with Isack.” Mekies highlighted Hadjar’s performance both on and off the track, noting that the young driver joined the squad at the start of the 2026 season and quickly proved himself a valuable teammate. “Since joining us at the start of the year, he has been superb on and off track, especially considering this is only his second Formula 1 season, which made extending his contract an easy decision,” Mekies explained.
Hadjar’s own perspective
Hadjar echoed the team’s enthusiasm, stating, “From the moment I signed, I set out to dedicate myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to justify the faith they’ve had in me. I’m constantly looking to learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead.”
Performance highlights from 2026
Hadjar’s 2026 season featured a series of strong results. After recovering from his wrist injury, he quickly adapted to the RB22’s new generation machinery, finishing in the points in all but three races he entered. In addition to his podiums in the Netherlands and Monaco, he consistently challenged the front‑running pack, demonstrating the speed and racecraft that Red Bull values in a teammate for Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s long‑term driver strategy
Red Bull has spent several years seeking a stable partner for Verstappen. The team previously paired Verstappen with Sergio Pérez, who helped secure the 2021 Drivers’ Championship and contributed to Constructors’ titles in 2022 and 2023. After re‑signing Pérez midway through the 2024 season, the organization and the Mexican driver mutually agreed to part ways, prompting Red Bull to explore other options, including Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in 2025.
Hadjar’s promotion to a full‑time seat for 2026 and now his contract extension through 2027 signal that Red Bull believes he can grow into the role of a long‑term championship contender alongside Verstappen. The team’s confidence is reflected in a series of social‑media videos that showcased Hadjar’s recovery at a “wrist clinic” and his excitement about the new contract.
What the extension means for the sport
By securing Hadjar for another year, Red Bull aims to maintain continuity in its driver lineup, a factor that has proven crucial in recent championship battles. Stability allows the team to focus on technical development and strategic execution rather than negotiating driver contracts each season.
Fans and analysts will now watch how Hadjar builds on his early successes, whether he can consistently challenge for podiums, and how the dynamic with Verstappen evolves as both drivers aim for further victories in the 2027 calendar.
Looking ahead
With the 2027 season on the horizon, Red Bull’s message is clear: the team is committed to nurturing young talent while maintaining its competitive edge. As the sport heads into a new era of hybrid power units and evolving regulations, the partnership of Verstappen and Hadjar promises to keep Red Bull at the forefront of Formula 1 competition.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
