In the high-stakes, hyper-competitive world of Formula 1, true certainties are rare. Yet, as the paddock whispers and rumors swirl, one particular narrative has solidified into what many now call an “open secret”: Isack Hadjar, the fiery French-Algerian prodigy, is being groomed to take a seat at Red Bull in 2026. This isn’t just another driver promotion; it’s a meticulously calculated move by the master talent scout, Dr. Helmut Marko, representing a significant gamble on a driver whose raw speed is matched only by his raw emotion.

The confirmation, while not yet a formal press release, came directly from the oracle of the Red Bull driver program himself. Marko recently revealed that both reigning champion Max Verstappen and the young Hadjar possess contracts with the Red Bull family for the 2026 season. “The only thing that’s certain is that Verstappen and Hadjar have contracts,” Marko stated, leaving the specific team—the senior Red Bull Racing or the sister team, Visa Cash App RB (Racing Bulls)—deliberately ambiguous. But for those who read between the lines, the message was clear: Hadjar is the chosen one, the next driver to be thrown into the crucible alongside Verstappen.

This impending promotion is the culmination of a meteoric rise through the junior ranks, a journey marked by dazzling victories, character-building struggles, and a temperament that has both impressed and concerned the Red Bull hierarchy. Nicknamed “le Petit Prost” (Little Prost) by the French media for his intelligent and smooth driving style, Hadjar’s path has been anything but a gentle ascent.

Born in Paris to an Algerian family of academics, Hadjar’s motorsport passion was ignited not by family tradition, but by the animated film Cars. This unusual entry point led to a karting career that quickly showcased his innate talent. He joined the formidable Red Bull Junior Team in 2022, a program notorious for its sink-or-swim mentality. Under Marko’s unforgiving gaze, drivers are expected to deliver results, and quickly. Hadjar understood the assignment.

His 2022 season was a breakout, finishing a strong fourth in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. However, his transition to Formula 2 in 2023 with Hitech proved to be a harsh reality check. In a season he would later describe as forgettable, he finished 14th, a result that could have easily spelled the end of his Red Bull backing. But Marko and his team saw beyond the numbers. They saw the flashes of brilliance, the aggressive racecraft, and the unyielding determination. They decided to give him another shot, moving him to Campos Racing for the 2024 F2 season.

It was a decision that paid off spectacularly. Reinvigorated, Hadjar mounted a fierce championship challenge, rediscovering the form that had first caught Red Bull’s eye. He secured four wins and ultimately finished as the series runner-up, proving his resilience and repaying the faith shown in him. This performance, combined with the dramatic winter reshuffle at Red Bull which saw Liam Lawson replace Sergio Pérez, opened the door for Hadjar to make his F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025.

His rookie season has been a microcosm of his career: a blend of astonishing highs and challenging lows. The ultimate peak came at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he stunned the paddock by securing his maiden F1 podium—an incredible achievement for a rookie in the so-called “junior” team. This result, outperforming more experienced drivers, cemented his reputation as a special talent. Yet, his journey has also been marked by moments of intense emotion that have drawn public comment from his mentor.

Earlier in his F1 journey, a crash on the formation lap in Australia left him visibly distraught. Tears streamed as he returned to the paddock, an unfiltered display of the immense pressure he was under. While many in the F1 community offered sympathy, Marko’s public reaction was characteristically blunt, calling the tearful response “a bit embarrassing.” This tough-love approach is the hallmark of the Red Bull system. Marko isn’t just looking for speed; he’s forging a driver capable of handling the psychological warfare of competing at the pinnacle of motorsport. He later advised Hadjar to “keep his emotions under control,” a clear directive for the young driver to develop the mental fortitude required of a champion.

To his credit, Hadjar seems to be learning. He has channeled his passion into his performance, delivering consistent points finishes and demonstrating a maturity beyond his years on the track. His driving style is aggressive and exciting; he’s not afraid to push the limits, particularly on the brakes, a trait that can make or break a driver in the modern era of F1.

The timing of his promotion to the senior team in 2026 is no coincidence. The sport is on the cusp of a major regulatory overhaul, with brand-new cars and power units set to reset the competitive order. For Red Bull, this presents the perfect opportunity to blood a new driver. As Hadjar himself noted, 2026 will be a “brand-new start for everyone.” It won’t be a case of a junior driver trying to adapt to a car developed around a multiple World Champion. Instead, he would be an integral part of the development process from the ground up, growing with the team and the new regulations.

This strategic move, however, creates a ripple effect throughout the Red Bull driver pool, leaving established talents like Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson in precarious positions. Tsunoda, despite his experience and flashes of speed, has struggled for consistency, and Hadjar’s rise puts his seat in jeopardy. Lawson, who impressed during his own substitute appearances, now finds himself potentially squeezed out of the Red Bull ecosystem. It’s a brutal reminder of the firm’s unsentimental approach to its driver lineup.

Furthermore, the pipeline continues to flow. The name Arvid Lindblad, a British teenager currently making waves in Formula 2, is already being whispered as the next in line for a Racing Bulls seat, potentially taking the one vacated by Hadjar.

For now, the focus remains squarely on Isack Hadjar. He is a driver who embodies the modern F1 ideal: blisteringly fast, marketable, and possessing a compelling backstory. He represents a new generation of talent, unafraid to show their passion and fight for their place at the top. His journey from a “forgettable” F2 season to the brink of a top-tier F1 drive is a testament to his resilience and Red Bull’s unwavering, if demanding, belief in his potential. The “open secret” is almost out. Soon, the world will see if Helmut Marko’s latest high-stakes gamble will deliver another champion.