Hadjar signs for RB as he takes final seat on 2025 F1 grid

Isack Hadjar will make his Formula 1 debut in 2025 and takes the final seat on the grid after agreeing a deal to become Yuki Tsunoda’s team mate at RB.

Red Bull junior Hadjar impressed in his second season in feeder series F2, finishing runner up to Kick Sauber-bound Gabriel Bortoleto with Campos Racing.

After Sergio Perez parted ways with Red Bull ahead of 2025 and Liam Lawson stepped up from RB in his place, there was a vacancy at RB.

Red Bull opted to make Hadjar the 19th driver promoted to F1 from their junior programme, which began back in 2001.

He follows in the footsteps of four-time world champions Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel as well as eight-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo.

“I’m very excited to step into my new role at VCARB,” said Hadjar. “This is huge for myself, my family and all the people who have believed in me from the beginning.

“The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula 1 is the moment I’ve working towards my whole life – it is the dream.

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“I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and racing with the best drivers in the world.

“It’ll be a huge learning curve, but I’m ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team.

“I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki. I’ve always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull junior programme like myself and we’ve shared a similar path to F1. He’s very experienced and will be good to learn from.”

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 10: Isack Hadjar of France and Oracle Red Bull Racing — Hadjar took part in the end-of-season test for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi

Team Principal Laurent Mekies said: “We’re excited to have Isack with us next year, bringing a new and fresh dynamic to the team alongside Yuki in 2025.

“His journey to Formula 1 has been nothing short of outstanding. He has shown remarkable growth, with a series of impressive results in the junior single-seater ranks.

“He has the talent and drive necessary to compete at the highest level, and we have every confidence that he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact.

“I believe Isack and Yuki will make a great team. Yuki brings invaluable experience to the team. He’s shown incredible resilience and maturity, which will be crucial for the team as we strive to hit all our aims and objectives in 2025.”

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CEO Peter Bayer added: “Firstly, we must congratulate Liam for his step up to Red Bull Racing. As a sister team and as an incubator for Formula 1 talent, our strategic objective is to foster and nurture our drivers in preparation for this next step.

“With his move and by bringing Isack into VCARB, it’s a testament to our longstanding commitment to develop the best young drivers in motorsport, as well as proof of concept of the Red Bull junior programme.

“Having a younger driver supports our mission to speak to a younger audience, so we look forward to bringing new and existing fans on the journey with us.”