Oracle Red Bull Racing has announced that its second driver for the 2026 season will be 21‑year‑old Isack Hadjar. He will replace Yuki Tsunoda, who has been moved to the role of test and reserve driver, and will race alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen.
Oracle Red Bull line‑up
Hadjar is currently making his debut in the pinnacle class for the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team and already has a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. His move into Red Bull's main line‑up comes ahead of major technical changes in the championship and the launch of the new Red Bull Ford power unit in 2026.
"Most importantly, he has shown pure speed, which is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and create magic on track!"
– Laurent Mekies, chief executive and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing
The management emphasized Hadjar's speed as a key quality for success in Formula 1 and expressed confidence in the drivers' synergy in the next era of regulations.
Yuki Tsunoda's role
The start of the partnership with Hadjar marks the end of Yuki Tsunoda's tenure in Red Bull's main line‑up. Tsunoda has raced under the Red Bull banner since 2019 and has contested more than 100 Grands Prix; from 2026 he will move to the role of test and reserve driver.
"You can't help but love Yuki, his personality is contagious, and he has become a special part of the Red Bull family. On behalf of everyone at Red Bull I thank him for his contribution"
– Laurent Mekies, chief executive and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing
Team representatives expressed gratitude to Tsunoda for his years of racing and his contribution to the team's development.
Positions and prospects
"I am very grateful to Oracle Red Bull Racing for the opportunity and the trust to compete at the highest level of Formula 1. This is a great step — to work with the best and to learn from Max is something I cannot wait for"
– Isack Hadjar, driver
The team plans to begin the 2026 season with a refreshed driver line‑up and new technical regulations. Red Bull expects that the combination of Verstappen's experience and Hadjar's potential will create a strong foundation for the fight in the next phase of Formula 1.
Max Verstappen has claimed three wins in the last four races and has cut the gap to Oscar Piastri to 40 points. Team bosses believe he has a chance to make a decisive surge in the fight for a fifth title.
