Culture Shock or Natural Progression?
Isack Hadjar admits that the jump from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing felt like a “culture shock,” yet his junior work made the move feel unwound.
He will partner Max Verstappen for the 2026 season, having already shared a Fast Practice seat with the reigning champion at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Long‑Term Ties with VCARB and Wood
Hadjar credits the VCARB programme as the link that bridged an Italian family‑run team and a British dynamo, smoothing the transition.
He emphasizes that his collaboration with engineer Richard Wood began three years ago during early practice sessions, a relationship that has spanned junior testing and the main seat.
Red Bull 2026: A New Chapter
Seen as a natural step due to his back‑to‑back fast‑practice outings, the 21‑year‑old still experiences the pride of walking into a world‑champion garage.
He balances gratitude with a sense of entitlement, noting that each entry into the Red Bull bay reminds him of the team’s stature and his role within it.
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