Considering Isack Hadjar to be a “outstanding” talent, Christian Horner has acknowledged that “there’s a chance” the Red Bull junior driver may be promoted to Formula One with the company next year.
Red Bull Racing’s development program is brimming with talent, and two of its brightest stars are making significant strides. French-Algerian racer Isack Hadjar, 19, has emerged as a formidable contender, leading the FIA Formula 2 standings midway through his sophomore campaign. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Arvid Lindblad is making waves in FIA Formula 3, climbing to second in the standings with back-to-back wins on his home soil in Britain.
Hadjar joined Red Bull’s development program two and a half years ago, following a successful karting career and a third-place finish in the 2020 French F4 Championship. He continued to impress with a third-place finish in the Formula Regional Asian Championship and a fourth-place finish in FIA Formula 3 in 2022. Since graduating to FIA Formula 2 last year, Hadjar has won three races and secured two additional podiums, including a Feature Race victory at Silverstone.
Reflecting on his Silverstone success and his growing momentum, Hadjar expressed excitement about his progress. “It was unbelievable. It honestly felt like the first time in the car again and the braking and the high speed in the RB20 are just on another level,” Hadjar said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in this car, but it is always great to be back with the team and to know the procedures.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged Hadjar’s impressive performances, noting his strong case for a future seat within the Red Bull F1 family. “He’s doing a good job. He had a good weekend [at Silverstone]. It’s good to see both Isack [in F2] and Arvid Lindblad win the Formula 3 race. Two outstanding talents are coming through,” Horner stated.
Hadjar’s rise through the ranks has included FP1 outings with AlphaTauri in Mexico and Red Bull in Abu Dhabi last season. His third outing at Silverstone highlighted his growing confidence and skill behind the wheel, setting the stage for a promising future.
While Hadjar leads the charge in Formula 2, Lindblad’s strong season in Formula 3 adds to Red Bull’s depth of young talent. The 16-year-old has quickly risen to prominence, securing second place in the standings with a series of impressive performances.
As Red Bull looks to finalize its driver lineup for the 2025 season, Hadjar’s name is firmly in the mix. With Yuki Tsunoda recently re-signing and Daniel Ricciardo’s future still uncertain, Hadjar’s continued success could see him joining the Red Bull F1 team sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez’s recent struggles have added to the speculation surrounding his future with Red Bull. Horner described Perez’s form as “unsustainable” after another challenging weekend at Silverstone, despite the Mexican driver signing a new deal earlier this year to remain alongside Max Verstappen.
As Red Bull navigates these potential changes, the performances of Hadjar and Lindblad offer a glimpse into the future, promising a new generation of talent ready to take on the pinnacle of motorsport.
