Isack Hadjar has been thrust into the spotlight after stepping into a Red Bull race seat ahead of just his second Formula 1 season, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. Former Alpine executive Marcin Budkowski has flagged a major concern, suggesting the young driver now faces a defining question that could shape his future at the team.
At only 21, Hadjar’s rapid promotion has raised eyebrows across the paddock. Red Bull’s decision echoes a recent pattern, with Budkowski hinting that the team may be risking a repeat of the same error they made with Liam Lawson by accelerating a promising driver’s rise too quickly.
Hadjar was one of the standout newcomers in 2025, making a strong impression after being handed a late opportunity with Red Bull’s sister outfit, Racing Bulls. Despite limited preparation time, his pace and composure marked him out as one of the grid’s surprise performers.
That opportunity came after Red Bull chose Lawson as Sergio Perez’s replacement, a move that set off a chain reaction within the team’s driver lineup. Hadjar ultimately benefited from the reshuffle, earning his first full-time taste of Formula 1 under intense scrutiny.
Now, with expectations significantly higher at Red Bull, the pressure is on Hadjar to prove he belongs at the sharp end of the grid. Budkowski’s concern centres on whether the French-Algerian driver can adapt quickly enough to the demands of a top team, or whether Red Bull have once again moved too fast with a rising talent.
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