Isack Hadjar has shared a heartwarming and surprising anecdote about the moment he learned he was being promoted to Red Bull Racing, revealing that his mother actually found out before he did. The 21-year-old French driver, who will replace Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull for the 2026 season, recounted the story during an episode of Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast.

Following a rookie season with Racing Bulls, Hadjar’s promotion to the senior team was officially confirmed just before the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, when he received the life-changing news, the first person he called was his mum — only to be shocked when she revealed she already knew.

"She said that she actually got the phone call before I had it," Hadjar recalled. "She knew before I did, because she’s my manager and she knows more than I do!"

The close family dynamic has clearly been a major part of his journey, and Hadjar noted that his mother deliberately waited for him to hear the news from Red Bull first rather than breaking it herself.

Despite having time to process the announcement, Hadjar admitted he still experiences moments of disbelief. From his humble beginnings in karting to becoming a Red Bull Racing driver, the rapid ascent leaves him in awe.

"There’s moments where I’m like, yeah, I do realise what’s happening and I’m up for the challenge and sometimes like, what the hell am I doing here?"

"It’s so far away from my go-kart days, I’m like, why me? How did I get chosen? Of course [I’ve earned it], but I’m incredibly lucky. You need everything to align perfectly. Being good is not enough."

Hadjar also opened up about his 2025 season, finishing 12th in the Drivers’ Championship — a result he called disappointing but ultimately inconsequential for his future. He emphasized that the promotion was based on meeting Red Bull’s long-term benchmarks, not just a single season’s outcome.

"P9 or P12 or whatever, I ticked all the boxes I needed to to get the promotion," Hadjar said. "It wouldn’t change my life, even if I was seventh. It wouldn’t change my 2026 season and my future, so in the end I’m okay with that."

As he prepares for his new role alongside one of the most dominant champions in F1 history, Hadjar remains grounded, balancing ambition with gratitude. His journey exemplifies not only raw talent but also the importance of support systems and perfect timing in motorsport.