Red Bull rang Max Verstappen’s new F1 team-mate’s mum to deliver news | F1 | Sport

Isack Hadjar has revealed his mum found out about his promotion to Red Bull Racing before even he did. In his first interview since officially becoming team-mate to Max Verstappen in 2026, the French driver revealed how Red Bull chiefs had called his mother to deliver the news that he would be stepping up from junior squad Racing Bulls.

Hadjar enjoyed a very impressive rookie season in 2025, overcoming the ignominy of crashing on the formation lap before his very first race in Melbourne last March to put together a very strong run of performances. The highlight was undoubtedly a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, which cemented him as the clear favourite to get the nod to partner Verstappen this year.

His elevation was finally confirmed in the week leading up to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. That announcement was coupled with confirmation that Liam Lawson would be retained by Racing Bulls and joined by rookie Arvid Lindblad stepping up from Formula 2, leaving Yuki Tsunoda with no race seat for the upcoming campaign.

It was the outcome many in the paddock had expected for months, though Hadjar only found out about it himself after his mother, Randa, had been informed by Red Bull. That was because she splits her responsibilities as Hadjar’s mother to also act as his manager.

Asked who he spoke to first after being told he would be promoted, Hadjar told the Talking Bull podcast: I just called my mum. She said that she actually got the phone call before I had it. She knew, because she’s my manager and she knows more than I do!”

Hadjar is under no illusions about the challenge he faces going forwards. Verstappen has left a string of defeated and deflated team-mates in his wake over the years, including the likes of Tsunoda and Sergio Perez who had a lot more experience than the Frenchman has now when they were given the nod to share a garage with the four-time world champion.

Aged just 21, Hadjar acknowledges that it is “a huge, huge privilege” to be given this opportunity. But the likes of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Lawson all felt the same way too, until they buckled under the pressure of being put up against Verstappen as a young driver. The former pair spent years rebuilding their F1 careers afterwards.

Hadjar, though, feels the 2026 regulations changes gives him a more even playing field upon which to fight. He said: “It’s a new car. It’s not like Max knows the car, right? It all starts from scratch. So I feel very, very lucky in the way I’m coming to Red Bull. It’s going to be very beneficial and if the car has to go in one direction, then I’ll be here as well and maybe it’s from my input. So yeah, I’m excited.”