Red Bull team make CRUCIAL driver ',' as .....

Red Bull team make CRUCIAL driver ‘,’ as …..read more

Red Bull is reportedly set to make a significant decision regarding its driver lineup for the 2025 Formula 1 season, with junior driver Isack Hadjar expected to be promoted to the F1 grid. This move would finalize the lineup for next year, as the grid edges closer to completion with only one seat left unconfirmed for the upcoming season.

Currently, the only remaining open seat in the 2025 campaign is at Red Bull’s junior team, VCARB, where it is still uncertain who will partner Yuki Tsunoda. Liam Lawson, who took over from Daniel Ricciardo for the final part of the 2024 season, is being tipped for a possible promotion to the main Red Bull team, particularly amid ongoing speculation about the future of current driver Sergio Perez. Despite Perez having signed a contract extension earlier this year, questions surrounding his performance and consistency have left his position in doubt.

Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, confirmed that a decision about Perez’s future would be made shortly after the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fueling further speculation. Now, reports from French motorsport outlet Auto Hebdo indicate that Isack Hadjar’s promotion to F1 in 2025 is nearly certain, with him expected to drive alongside Tsunoda at VCARB, which will make its debut as Red Bull’s junior team in F1.

Hadjar, a 20-year-old Frenchman, has impressed this season in Formula 2, although his championship aspirations were dashed in a dramatic final round in Abu Dhabi. In the Feature Race, Hadjar stalled on the grid, losing precious time. Despite recovering, he was unable to close the gap to his title rival, Gabriel Bortoleto, who went on to secure the F2 championship. Reflecting on the incident, Hadjar expressed his disappointment, stating, “I can’t believe all this hard work for that. The worst moment of my life right now.” Nevertheless, despite this setback, Hadjar’s performance throughout the season has been strong, and it hasn’t deterred his progression toward an F1 seat.

Sources close to Red Bull and Hadjar suggest that the young driver’s future has already been decided, although it remains unofficial. In a recent press conference following the Abu Dhabi F2 round, Hadjar was careful with his words, acknowledging that his future plans for 2025 had yet to be made official. When asked about his next steps, Hadjar replied, “I literally can’t tell you what I’m doing next season, because it’s not been [made] official.” He added, “If I say I know, then maybe you guys know what’s going on, so…” This cryptic response only added to the speculation surrounding his move to F1.

Hadjar’s promotion to F1, if confirmed, would see him join Tsunoda at VCARB, a team that is expected to play a key role in Red Bull’s development of future talent. Tsunoda, who has shown promise in his F1 career with AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso), would offer valuable experience and guidance to the younger Hadjar, helping him transition into the world of Formula 1. While the Red Bull senior team has dominated recent seasons, securing multiple constructors’ and drivers’ championships, their junior team VCARB is expected to become an important stepping stone for rising stars.

The exact details of Hadjar’s contract and the specifics of his partnership with Tsunoda are yet to be finalized, but the confirmation that he will be on the F1 grid in 2025 is a major development. Red Bull’s strategy of nurturing young talent has paid off in recent years with the successes of drivers like Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly, and Hadjar looks set to continue that trend. The Frenchman’s rise through the ranks of motorsport has been rapid, and his success in F2, despite the setback in Abu Dhabi, shows his resilience and talent.

The next few weeks are likely to bring official announcements as the 2025 grid continues to take shape. With only one seat left to be confirmed at VCARB, all eyes will now turn to Red Bull’s next moves regarding Perez and Lawson’s future. Regardless of the outcome, it seems that Isack Hadjar is firmly on track to make his Formula 1 debut in 2025, a milestone that many believe he has more than earned based on his performances in Formula 2.