Racing Bulls deliver clear Isack Hadjar message as Red Bull rumours intensify

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has insisted that no decision will be made in the short-term over whether Isack Hadjar is promoted. 

Rumours of a 2026 promotion to Red Bull have intensified ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand prix, with Hadjar heavily tipped to replace Yuki Tsunoda. 

The French-Algerian has impressed since joining Racing Bulls from Formula 2, and quickly recovered from his embarrassing formation lap crash in the Australian GP. 

Since that moment which saw him consoled by Lewis Hamilton's father and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Hadjar has become a consistent points scorer and top 10 qualifier. 

He currently has the second-most points out of the Red Bull family drivers; however, it has been stressed that no decision over his future will be made until later in the year. 

Despite Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko revealing Hadjar has a Red Bull family contract for next season, the Austrian has insisted a decision will not be made until at least late October. 

Permane has echoed Marko's comments, outlining that no decision over a possible promotion will be made at the moment, but that Racing Bulls must continue to deliver Hadjar a strong car.

Asked in Baku if Hadjar is ready to race for Red Bull, Permane said: "I think that’s a tricky one at this time of year. And, fortunately, we don’t have to make that decision at this time of year. 

"I'm very sure — and I think it’s been said — that it will be later in the season, much later in the season. I think what we have to do for Isack is to make sure that we — the trackside team — deliver perfection for him. 

"So he’s got a car he can perform well in, and he needs to perform well. He needs to deliver perfection as well. 

"And I think we’ve seen, when he does that and when the car is right and suits the circuit, and he puts it all together, we can have a super strong weekend."