Isack Hadjar sends clear Red Bull message after first official outing

Isack Hadjar has said he already feels "comfortable" at Red Bull, having joined the Milton Keynes-based squad for the F1 post-season test at Abu Dhabi.

The Frenchman completed 111 laps of the Yas Marina Circuit in the RB21 alongside Ayumu Iwasa, and evidently felt right at home in his new team.

The one-time podium finisher will partner Max Verstappen for the 2026 season, as F1 ushers in new power unit and chassis regulations.

Nonetheless, he was pleased to get a considerable number of laps under his belt before the current generation of ground-effect cars are put out to pasture.

"It was great to get my first laps in as an official Red Bull Racing driver," the 21-year-old said at the end of the nine-hours of running.

"It's nice to know that I'll be able to come back in January and already have met and worked with more of the Team, having met a lot already through testing over the last couple of years.

"They welcomed me really well and I already feel comfortable with this group."

Hadjar has replaced the outgoing Yuki Tsunoda, who will spend next campaign as Red Bull's test and reserve driver.

As Verstappen's fourth team-mate in just over a year, there is considerable pressure on his young shoulders, and he was quick to highlight how valuable getting additional running on the new compounds of Pirelli tyres is, even if the cars will be vastly different come January when the private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya commences.

"Of course, this is a totally different car to the one I will be driving in Barcelona but it was good to get a feel of the tyres," he said.

"It's also important to bank the data now and it'll definitely help over the coming months as we build towards the new season."