Isack Hadjar to partner Yuki Tsunoda at RB for 2025

Credit: James Sutton

Red Bull Academy driver and FIA Formula 2 runner up Isack Hadjar has signed to drive for Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) - the team confirmed on Friday morning.

Hadjar will fill the last vacant space on the 2025 Formula One grid and will partner Yuki Tsunoda after an entire whirlwind of news surrounding Red Bull and VCARB over the past few days, which was all kick-started by Sergio Perez and Red Bull Racing parting ways.

The French racing driver will make the step up to Formula One and will graduate from FIA Formula 2 to become the sixth rookie to be in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship to make it an entirely new-looking grid. Hadjar will be one of many new faces looking to make an impression and show the skills he has been crafting in feeder series racing.

It was announced on Friday morning by Formula One and VCARB media on Friday morning following news on Thursday that former VCARB driver Liam Lawson would make the step up to Red Bull to replace Perez instead of Hadjar's now teammate Tsunoda.

Speaking to VCARB and Formula One media, Hadjar said: "I'm very excited to step into my new role at VCARB, this is huge for myself, my family, and all thw people who have believed in me from the beginning.

"The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula One is the moment I've been working towards my whole life it is the dream."

Hadjar concluded his comments by saying: "I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki [Tsunoda], I've always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull Junior Program, like myself, and we've shared a similar path to F1, 

"He's very experienced and will be good to learn from."

Hadjar comes into Formula One after going through feeder series championships and competing for both the FIA Formula 3 title in 2022 and the FIA Formula 2 title in 2024. 

VCARB Team Principal Laurent Mekies believes that Hadjar has the "talent and drive necessary to compete at the highest level."

Hadjar finished runner up to Gabriel Bortoleto in the championship and now both will make the step up to Formula One together after putting on an incredible title fight that both entered the final round being separated by half a point in Bortoleto's favour. 

His race craft and raw speed is something that has definitely helped him on his way to securing his Formula One seat for 2025 and will make it three French drivers set to be on the grid for the upcoming season. Hadjar will join both French drivers who have won a Grand Prix in Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.

Hadjar will make his Formula One debut where he won his first Formula 2 race - in Albert Park which is in Melbourne, Australia. The venue that will play host to the opening round of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Brandon Whiteside
Writer & X Contributor - F1 Journal