Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Isack Hadjar has set his sights on securing his maiden Formula 1 grand prix victory following his promotion to Red Bull for the 2026 season, replacing Yuki Tsunoda.
The 21-year-old Frenchman now partners reigning world champion Max Verstappen at the Milton Keynes-based squad — a seat that has historically proven challenging for Verstappen’s team-mates. Several drivers in recent seasons struggled to match the Dutchman’s pace, leading to short-lived tenures within the team.
Hadjar has begun his adaptation process during pre-season testing in Barcelona and Bahrain, working to familiarise himself with the RB22 amid a major regulatory reset for 2026. The new aerodynamic framework and revised power unit architecture have introduced significant complexity across the grid.
“That first race win is on the radar, that would be great,” Hadjar told media including RacingNews365. “And I’d like to see our car progressing faster than the other teams. That would also be very enjoyable.”
Red Bull enters the new era aiming to maintain its competitive edge, but like its rivals, the team is still navigating calibration challenges associated with the updated hybrid systems. Electronic mapping, torque delivery optimisation, and tyre behaviour under the new energy demands remain focal points during testing.
When asked whether he feels fully prepared for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Hadjar offered a measured response.
“No — but no one is,” he said. “We’re just going to make the most of the laps we have. No one is going to be fully prepared for Melbourne; otherwise something would be wrong.”
He emphasised that the current learning curve is heavily technical.
“It’s all electronic calibration stuff. You need more scenarios happening to understand how the tyres behave, torque delivery and everything else. You just need more practice — but everyone will get there before Melbourne.”
With heightened expectations surrounding the second Red Bull seat and the backdrop of sweeping regulatory changes, 2026 represents a defining opportunity for Hadjar to establish himself at the front of the grid — with a first grand prix victory firmly within his ambitions.
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