Red Bull axe Yuki Tsunoda, sign Isack Hadjar for upcoming season

Red Bull Racing have announced that Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda to partner Max Verstappen for the Formula One 2026 season. The move comes after a rough season for Yuki Tsunoda that has seen yet another Red Bull driver unable to match Verstappen at the Austrian team. Hadjar, who made his debut in 2025 for Racing Bulls, will leave Racing Bulls after a strong rookie season with Red Bull Racing’s sister team.

Tsunoda’s first season with Red Bull has been nothing but forgettable for the Japanese driver. Tsunoda started the Formula One 2025 season with Racing Bulls, partnering Isack Hadjar but was moved up to the Red Bull team midseason after Red Bull replaced Liam Lawson with Tsunoda from the Japanese Grand Prix 2025 onwards. Since then, Tsunoda has only had five points scoring finishes including a best finish of P6 in Azerbaijan. Tsunoda’s struggles have been evident with it resulting in Red Bull unable to fight for the Constructors’ Championship and the Austrian team lie P3 in the Constructors’ standing. 

Hadjar on the other hand, has had an incredible start to his F1 career and driving for a midfield team, Hadjar’s strong performances has helped Racing Bulls go P6 in the Constructors’ and Hadjar even scored his maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix 2025. With Hadjar replacing Tsunoda at Red Bull, Tsunoda will be moved to a reserve role with the Japanese driver set to become Red Bull’s Test and Reserve Driver. Since the 2017 season, Hadjar will become Verstappen’s seventh teammate. 

Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, commented,

“Yuki has raced in Red Bull colours for seven years now and I have had the pleasure of working with him at both Red Bull teams. Through his five seasons so far in Formula One, Yuki has matured into a complete racer, good over a single lap on Saturday and capable of exceptional starts and excellent race craft on Sunday. Everyone in the sport would agree it is impossible not to like Yuki, his personality is infectious, and he has become a very special part of the Red Bull family. On behalf of everyone at Red Bull, I thank him for what he has contributed so far and we know he will provide invaluable support to the 2026 projects moving forwards. As for Isack, in his first F1 season, he has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track! 2026 will be a huge challenge for the Team and for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, these are exciting times, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together.”

Isack Hadjar, said,

“I’m so grateful to Oracle Red Bull Racing for giving me the opportunity and trust to race at the highest level of Formula One. After all the hard work I have put in since joining the Junior Team, it’s such a great reward. I’ve had many ups and downs throughout my career, and they kept believing and pushing me. This year with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has been absolutely amazing, I’ve learnt a lot and secured a maiden podium. I feel I’m much better as a racing driver and a person, due to the Team‘s support and preparation. I feel ready to go to Oracle Red Bull Racing and I am happy and proud they feel the same. It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for.”