Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) have officially announced that Isack Hadjar will join Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship. This marks another significant step in the Red Bull Junior Programme’s legacy as another rising star secures one of the most coveted seats in motorsport.
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A New Chapter for VCARB
Following New Zealand driver Liam Lawson’s promotion to Oracle Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen for the 2025 season—replacing Checo Pérez—Visa Cash App Racing Bulls moved swiftly to fill the vacancy. Enter Isack Hadjar, a highly regarded Red Bull Junior Programme talent.
The Red Bull Junior Programme Legacy
Hadjar becomes the 18th driver to graduate from the Red Bull Junior Programme to Formula One. This elite development initiative, launched in 2006, has previously nurtured legends such as Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, and Daniel Ricciardo. Hadjar’s promotion continues this storied tradition.
From Karting Prodigy to F1 Contender
The 20-year-old French-Algerian driver began his motorsport journey in karting before making waves in French F4. He quickly progressed, finishing fourth overall in the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship. After an encouraging debut season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, Hadjar joined the prestigious Campos Racing team, where he cemented his reputation as a rising star. He clinched second place in the overall standings with four race wins and eight podium finishes this season.
A Rapid Climb to Success
Hadjar’s meteoric rise has included memorable victories at iconic circuits such as Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, and Silverstone. His performances as a test and reserve driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have prepared him well for the demands of Formula One. Now, he takes the next step in his career alongside seasoned teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who enters his fifth season with the team.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 06: Isack Hadjar of France and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 06, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Hadjar’s Excitement
“I’m very excited to step into my new role at VCARB. This is huge for myself, my family, and all the people who have believed in me from the beginning,” said Hadjar. “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’s the dream.
“I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and racing with the best drivers in the world. It’ll be a huge learning curve, but I’m ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team. I look forward to working with and learning from Yuki. I’ve always looked up to him. Like myself, he went through the Red Bull Junior Programme, and we’ve shared a similar path to F1. He’s very experienced, and it will be good to learn from him.”
Team Leadership on Hadjar’s Arrival
Team Principal Laurent Mekies expressed his excitement about Hadjar’s addition to the lineup: “We’re thrilled to have Isack with us next year, bringing a fresh dynamic to the team alongside Yuki in 2025. As a product of the Red Bull Junior Programme, his journey to Formula One has been nothing short of outstanding. He has shown remarkable growth, with a series of impressive results in the junior single-seater ranks.
“He has the talent and drive necessary to compete at the highest level, and we are confident that he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact. I believe Isack and Yuki will make a great partnership. Yuki brings invaluable experience to the team; he’s shown incredible resilience and maturity, which will be crucial for the team as we strive to hit our goals in 2025.”
Isack Hadjar #18 Hitech GP, during the round 1 of the FIA Formula 3 Championship at Bahrain International Circuit, in Bahrain on March 18 – 20, 2022. // Dutch Photo Agency / Red Bull Content Pool
CEO Peter Bayer’s Perspective
CEO Peter Bayer added: “Firstly, we must congratulate Liam on his step up to Oracle Red Bull Racing. As a sister team and as an incubator for Formula One talent, our strategic objective is to foster and nurture our drivers in preparation for this next step. This move and bringing Isack into VCARB is a testament to our longstanding commitment to developing the best young drivers in motorsport and proof of the Red Bull Junior Programme’s success.
“Having a younger driver supports our mission to engage with a younger audience, and we look forward to bringing new and existing fans on this journey with us.”
With this new lineup, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls are poised to impact the 2025 Formula One season significantly. The partnership between the experienced Yuki Tsunoda and the promising Isack Hadjar promises to deliver excitement both on and off the track.
