Red Bull confirm Isack Hadjar to stay alongside Max Verstappen for 2027 season

Red Bull lock in Hadjar for 2027 as he prepares for Azerbaijan return

Red Bull have confirmed Isack Hadjar will remain as Max Verstappen’s team-mate for the 2027 Formula 1 season after extending his contract for another year. The announcement comes ahead of the 21-year-old’s comeback at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three rounds with a wrist injury sustained during last month’s summer break.

Hadjar stepped up to Red Bull at the start of this year after an impressive rookie campaign with Racing Bulls in 2025. He replaced Yuki Tsunoda and has delivered consistent points finishes, including a second top-three result at the Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed Pierre Gasly’s overturned speeding penalties.

The Frenchman has been linked with Red Bull since joining their Junior Team in 2022, supporting his rise through Formula 3 and Formula 2 that culminated in a closely fought title battle with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto. After missing out on the 2024 championship, he earned promotion from reserve driver to Racing Bulls and scored his maiden podium at Zandvoort.

Team principal praises composure

Team Principal Laurent Mekies said the extension was an easy decision after Hadjar’s start to life at Milton Keynes.

"We're very excited to continue our journey with Isack. 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 said.

"From the very beginning, Isack immersed himself in the team, spending every minute at the factory with his engineers to develop the car, always eager to learn and improve. You could see from that first weekend in Melbourne that he handled the step up with remarkable composure and had earned his place in this seat."

Mekies added: "The period since his injury has been a difficult one for Isack, but this extension is a testament to how much we believe in him and we can’t wait to see him back out on track. We still have a lot we want to achieve this season, but it's a great feeling to know that the drivers, engineers and everyone back at the factory are all heading in the same direction, committed and together."

Hadjar on staying with Red Bull

Hadjar said the decision to stay was driven by the team’s ambition and support.

"I am really excited to continue with Oracle Red Bull Racing," he said. "I came to this team eight months ago and immediately understood the scale and ambition of this organisation. There are so many talented people at the factory, and you’re aware of the privilege of driving for such an incredible team alongside a four-time World Champion like Max [Verstappen]."

"From the moment I signed, I set out to dedicate myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent [Mekies] and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to justify the faith they’ve had in me. I’m constantly looking to listen, learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead."

The second Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen is widely regarded as the toughest on the grid after Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda all struggled against the Dutchman. Hadjar has been closer to Verstappen than those predecessors and has even got the better of his team-mate at times this season. Despite missing the last three race weekends, he remains eighth in the Drivers’ Championship.

Red Bull had already announced last month that Verstappen has signed a new contract to stay until at least the end of 2030.