Isack Hadjar explains Red Bull “culture shock” after Racing Bulls move
Isack Hadjar has described his graduation from Racing Bulls to the senior Red Bull team as a “culture shock”, though the 21-year-old insists his years in the junior programme made the transition feel natural.
Hadjar stepped up to partner four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2026 season following his rookie year with Racing Bulls. While both operations fall under the same energy drink parent company, Hadjar admitted the shift in working environments was huge.
“That’s definitely a culture shock, let’s say,” Hadjar said on the Talking Bull podcast. “You go from more of a family team, an Italian team, to British. It’s definitely different.
“VCARB helped me massively in my first year,” he explained. “They’re used to having young drivers to prepare for the main seat.”
Hadjar has been integrated into the Red Bull pipeline since 2021. He explained that his history of junior testing and early free practice outings, including driving Verstappen’s machinery at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, made the promotion far less jarring than a standard transfer between rival constructors.
He also pointed out that his working relationship with his current engineer, “Woody” (Richard Wood), actually began three years ago during those initial practice sessions.
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
“The transition to Red Bull, it’s not like Lewis [Hamilton] from Mercedes to Ferrari,” Hadjar said. “I’ve been in the junior team since 2021. I’ve been having FP1 tests, junior testing. So, I’m working with Woody this year, but I had my first FP1 outing with him already three years ago. So, for me, it’s natural to be there.”
Hadjar added: “There are still a few pinch-me moments because it’s not like I’ve had 200 races in the team. Every time I walk through the garage, going into the car, for me, I still feel that proud feeling of being there and being in a world champion team next to such an amazing team-mate.
“I deserve to be there, but I’m blessed to be there as well.”
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