Isack Hadjar earned his 2027 Red Bull contract by doing what several experienced drivers couldn't: staying close enough to Max Verstappen without allowing Formula 1's toughest teammate comparison to overwhelm him. Red Bull confirmed the extension on Wednesday, September 23, ahead of Hadjar's return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
This is my verdict: Red Bull has made its smartest second-seat decision in years.
The numbers justify Red Bull's faith
Hadjar sits eighth in the Drivers' Championship with 71 points, two positions and 38 points behind Verstappen. On average, he qualifies two places behind his teammate and trails him by just over two-tenths of a second on pure pace.
That gap is respectable against any established team leader. Against Verstappen, it is compelling evidence that Hadjar belongs. He scored points in his second race for Red Bull, then produced seven points finishes from race five onward, including a podium at Monaco.
His Belgian Grand Prix drive supplied the clearest proof. Starting 21st after engine-component penalties, Hadjar used two early stops and a long final stint on hard tires to finish sixth. Team principal Laurent Mekies called it his best race with the team.
“Honestly, it's not only a spike, it has been just a little bit better every single race for speed. I'm very happy with his progress.”
Red Bull chose evidence over anxiety
Hadjar missed the past three rounds while recovering from a wrist injury, but Red Bull didn't allow that interruption to obscure what he had already achieved. The team committed to another season after roughly half a campaign in its senior lineup.
That is significant because the exact duration beyond 2027 hasn't been disclosed. Red Bull retains flexibility, while Hadjar receives the clearest endorsement available: another full season beside Verstappen.
Mekies said extending the 21-year-old's deal was an “easy decision,” describing him as “superb on and off track.” He also pointed to Hadjar's factory work with his engineers and his willingness to learn during only his second Formula 1 season.
Continuity matters under new regulations
Red Bull's second seat has too often functioned as a revolving door. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda had short spells there, while the team hasn't enjoyed this kind of stability with a Red Bull junior since Daniel Ricciardo partnered Verstappen in 2018.
Keeping Hadjar also gives Red Bull an unchanged lineup for 2027, with Verstappen already signed through 2030. Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari are also retaining their pairings, making continuity a clear theme among the leading teams.
That matters after Red Bull failed to launch a title fight in 2026. A second driver within two-tenths in qualifying can accelerate development and broaden strategy on Sundays. Hadjar has given the team reason to believe he can become that asset, rather than simply occupying the other garage.
Hadjar handled the pressure correctly
Hadjar understood the seat's history before accepting it. In April, he acknowledged the strange gaps between Verstappen and previous teammates, then reduced the challenge to a direct judgment of his own ability.
“But at the same time, I'm realistic. It's a new regulation. We have the same car. If I believe I'm good, I'm good. And that's the end of the story.”
That confidence has translated into consistency instead of noise. His approach to the contract carries the same clarity. Asked about its length in Baku, Hadjar replied, “I actually don't know. I don't care.” He followed with the standard that has carried him this far: “If you're good, you stay, and that's it.”
Baku now becomes the next test
The extension removes uncertainty, but it doesn't reduce the sporting challenge. Hadjar returns in Azerbaijan after three missed Grands Prix, with a street circuit awaiting him and no gentle route back into competition.
His 2027 seat is secure. The next job begins this weekend in Baku, where Red Bull will learn how quickly its retained driver can recover his pre-injury rhythm.
