French racing talent Isack Hadjar has claimed the final seat on the 2025 Formula 1 grid. The 20-year-old will join Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s second team, alongside Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. Hadjar’s promotion comes as a result of significant reshuffling within the Red Bull organization, which saw Liam Lawson move up to the main Red Bull team to replace Sergio Perez.
A Rising Star in Formula 1
Hadjar’s path to Formula 1 has been remarkable. The young Frenchman earned his promotion following an impressive Formula 2 season, where he secured second place behind champion Gabriel Bortoleto. Bortoleto, the Brazilian sensation, will also make his F1 debut in 2025 with Sauber, now owned by Audi.
Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies expressed confidence in Hadjar’s abilities: “Isack’s journey to F1 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 believe he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact. Together with Yuki, they will form a strong pairing.”
Hadjar’s Reaction
For Hadjar, securing an F1 seat is the culmination of a lifelong dream. Reflecting on his achievement, he stated: “The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters to now being in F1 is the moment I’ve been working toward my whole life. It’s the dream.”
He added, “I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and competing against the best drivers in the world. It’ll be a huge learning curve, but I’m ready to work hard and do my best for the team.”
Racing Bulls: A New Era
Hadjar’s announcement also signals a branding change for Red Bull’s second team. Previously referred to as “RB” in 2024, the team will officially compete as Racing Bulls in 2025. This decision was confirmed on the official FIA F1 entry list.
Peter Bayer, Racing Bulls’ CEO, commented on the rebranding: “Throughout the year, there’s been speculation about the meaning of RB. Now we’re making it clear: RB stands for Racing Bulls.”
This change aligns with the team’s internal communications, which already adopted the Racing Bulls name.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be thrilling, with fresh talent like Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto joining the grid. Racing Bulls will aim to build on their strong foundation, with Hadjar and Tsunoda bringing a mix of youthful enthusiasm and experience to the team.
As the countdown to the new season begins, all eyes will be on Hadjar as he takes his first steps in Formula 1, representing a new generation of racing talent.
- External Link: BBC Formula 1
- Internal Link: Eurasia Sports F1 Coverage
