Isack Hadjar faces unusual 'new place' after 2026 F1 seat confirmation

Isack Hadjar admits he is in uncharted territory heading into this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, with the Racing Bulls driver acknowledging that having contractual security for 2026 represents a "new place" in his motorsport career. 

Following the Azerbaijan GP, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko confirmed that both Max Verstappen and Hadjar are contracted to the Red Bull family for next season.

A decision will be made later this year over who will partner Verstappen and who will race for the sister team; however, Hadjar is at least guaranteed a Red Bull family F1 seat.

It is a new situation for Hadjar compared to his junior career, where he battled until the final rounds in both Formula 3 and Formula 2. 

In 2024, he secured the F2 runner-up spot after fighting Gabriel Bortoleto for the title down to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

For a driver who described 2023 as "the most difficult year of my life" during his challenging F2 debut season, having guaranteed employment for next year represents a significant psychological shift.

Asked by RacingNews365 if having a contract for 2026 reduces the pressure, Hadjar answered: "I think it's always a good position to be in. 

"But at the same time, across my whole career, I've been used to having to chase until the very final race in every championship I've been in to try and prove [myself] and go up the ranks. 

"So, it's actually a new place [for me to be], but definitely takes away a bit of pressure. But if anything, I always enjoy the pressure. 

"I feel like it's when I'm delivering at my best level. So let's see how I handle the last few races, but I'm always going to push very hard and take risks."