Red Bull announced an extension to Isack Hadjar’s contract on 23 September, confirming that he will remain alongside Max Verstappen in 2027. Verstappen was already contracted through the end of 2030, so the renewal completes Red Bull’s two-car line-up for 2027. Team boss Laurent Mekies said Hadjar’s work on and off the track since joining had made the extension an easy decision.
In his second F1 season, results extend beyond the debut
Hadjar completed his rookie F1 season with Racing Bulls in 2025 and took his first podium at Zandvoort. After moving to Red Bull’s senior team in 2026, he became the 11th driver to reach the team through the Red Bull junior programme. He remains in only his second F1 season.
Red Bull’s announcement listed his achievements since promotion: third in qualifying at his opening race in Australia, seven consecutive top-six finishes by the time of the announcement and another podium in Monaco. The team identified Monaco as a highlight of his season so far.
Mekies praises factory work and expresses trust during injury absence
Mekies particularly highlighted Hadjar’s commitment to factory work from the outset, developing the car with engineers while maintaining a willingness to learn and improve. He also praised Hadjar’s composure when facing the challenge of promotion in Melbourne. In the announcement, Hadjar reflected on eight months with the team and said he would continue to listen, learn and push himself to improve.
When the renewal was announced, Hadjar was preparing to return from injury. F1 reported the same day that a wrist injury had kept him out of the previous three rounds, with a comeback planned for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Mekies acknowledged the difficulty of the absence for Hadjar and described the extension as an expression of the team’s trust as it looked forward to his return.
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The announcement’s evidence answers different questions. Third in qualifying at the opening round showed single-lap speed; seven consecutive top-six finishes demonstrated the ability to translate performance into repeated race results; factory work concerned his everyday cooperation with engineers. That fits Mekies’s praise for both on- and off-track performance. By renewing during the injury absence, Red Bull recognised results and a working relationship already established. After returning, Hadjar will still have the remaining races of this season to complete.
Summary
The announcement settles Red Bull’s 2027 driver pairing and gives Hadjar continuity for his development in the senior team. Baku is the planned point of return. Whether he can reconnect with his consistent scoring form before the injury will be a specific focus over the rest of the season.
