Hadjar to partner Tsunoda at Racing Bulls for F1 2025

The Racing Bulls Formula 1 team has announced Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar will partner Yuki Tsunoda in 2025, as the starting grid for the new season is now set.

Hadjar will take up the seat vacated by Liam Lawson, whose own move to the main Red Bull squad as Sergio Perez’s replacement was announced on Thursday.

Hadjar was the runner-up in the 2024 F2 season with Campos Racing, ceding the title to Sauber-bound Gabriel Bortoleto in Abu Dhabi. Following a number of opportunities in F1 machinery, which include three grand prix practice sessions and a crucial day aboard the Red Bull RB20 at Abu Dhabi’s post-season test, Hadjar has done enough to convince Red Bull chiefs he has what it takes to replace Lawson and partner Tsunoda.

“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,” the 20-year-old Frenchman said.

“The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula 1 is the moment l’ve been working towards my whole life, it is the dream.

“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. l’ve always looked up to him, he went through the Red Bull junior programme, like myself, and we’ve shared a similar path to F1. He’s very experienced and will be good to learn from.”

Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies said Hadjar had shown “remarkable growth” that warranted his spot on the grid for 2025: “We’re excited to have Isack with us next year, bringing a new and fresh dynamic to the team alongside Yuki in 2025.

“His journey to Formula 1 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 have every confidence that he will adapt quickly and make a significant impact.

“I believe Isack and Yuki will make a great team. 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 all our aims and objectives in 2025.”

The team’s CEO Peter Bayer added: “Firstly, we must congratulate Liam for his step up to Red Bull Racing. As a sister team and as an incubator for Formula 1 talent, our strategic objective is to foster and nurture our drivers in preparation for this next step.

“With this move and by bringing Isack into VCARB, it’s a testament to our longstanding commitment to develop the best young drivers in motorsport, as well as proof of concept of the Red Bull junior programme. Having a younger driver supports our mission to speak to a younger audience, so we look forward to bringing new and existing fans on the journey with us.”

Alongside Bortoleto, Hadjar will be one of five rookies on the 2025 grid, which will also include Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Haas’ Oliver Bearman and Alpine debutant Jack Doohan.