Isack Hadjar has revealed he is more open to a potential promotion to Red Bull for 2026 as Formula 1’s impending regulation changes will make it “way easier” to adapt.
Turning heads at Zandvoort, Hadjar defended against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and the Mercedes of George Russell to remain on course for a career-best finish of fourth.
However, in the closing laps of the race, Hadjar watched his fourth place become a chance to take home silverware as Lando Norris in second suffered a mechanical DNF.
“Honestly, for me, a fourth place was like…I knew I was on top of it the whole weekend,” Hadjar recalled to media including Motorsport Week.
“From Saturday to Sunday, I was driving really well, race pace was super strong, so already a fifth or fourth place I was happy with because I knew that’s all I got.
“Now the podium was the cherry on the cake.
“To do it that way, maximising everything, doing no mistakes, I think it’s the best way to have your first podium. It’s not like 10 cars crashed ahead of me and I went through the field.”
Hadjar confessed that reaching the podium doesn’t provide him with additional confidence going into the weekend; in itself, it was a boost for the Racing Bulls driver.
“I don’t, but I would say it does. I know I can finish the job under pressure and at the highest level,” he added.
Beyond a personal achievement for the Frenchman, it also marked a significant moment in the race to become Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull next season.
Hadjar also divulged that Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko praised the Racing Bulls driver on his maiden podium. “He was satisfied. When he’s satisfied, it means a lot.”
‘2026 is a different question’ for Hadjar’s future
Hadjar didn’t hold back when admitting that Red Bull is somewhere he would like to be in the future, and he knows what is required of him to get there.
“It’s obviously something I have in mind,” he disclosed. “There are nine races left to prove I can keep doing a very good job.
“If I start getting beaten every race weekend until the end of the year. Then yeah, it’s not going to be good for me.”
At the beginning of the season, Hadjar seemed unsure regarding the prospect of making the jump from Racing Bulls to Red Bull.
However, as the year has progressed and the Frenchman has settled into the realities of F1, his feelings have shifted.
“To be honest, at the start of the year, they were asking me if I was feeling ready to jump in the Red Bull this year,” he recounted.
“The answer is still no. I don’t see the point of doing that right now. But 2026 is a different question because it’s a brand new start for the team.”
Hadjar highlighted that 2026 will change the dynamics that many people recognised in the Red Bull team. With the new regulations, the ‘second car’ problem, in particular.
“There won’t be this talk of the second car, I think. This wouldn’t be a thing because it’s a brand-new car for everyone,” he pinpointed.
“You will be in a phase where you need to direct the car in the right direction. So no, I think this is actually interesting.”
When asked whether he harbours any reservations about making the step up amid the struggles Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have endured, Hadjar retorted: “No, I want to drive for the best team, and that’s all I want, really.”
However, the Frenchman admitted he wasn’t in a rush to get into talks regarding 2026.
“To be honest, I’m not in a rush. I’m pretty relaxed. Regarding, as you just said, next year there will be no number two car because the rules are completely new,” he concluded.
READ MORE – Isack Hadjar reveals what is required to land Red Bull F1 move
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