Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver and rookie Isack Hadjar was next in line to share his thoughts about the 2026 regulation changes, alongside the ongoing speculations surrounding his promotion to the main Red Bull team with Max Verstappen as his future teammate.
Rumors with Red Bull Racing
While the media buzz has intensified following the last race weekend, Hadjar remains characteristically grounded with his focus away from the rumors on social media, “I don’t care,” he stated bluntly when asked about the reports. “I had five days off at home. I had other things to do than scroll on Instagram.”
While the rookie has shown promising results, including a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, he remains unfazed by the questions surrounding his potential future, which may or may not include a promotion.
First impressions of the 2026 car
He recently completed his first simulator session with the 2026-spec car, marking a critical milestone as teams prepare for the next major regulation overhaul. With sweeping changes expected to impact chassis, power units, and aerodynamics, the 2026 car will demand a fresh driving approach.
“There’s a lot of work to do,” he admitted. “I think the driver input is going to be huge, especially with the engine. It’s not just about adapting; we’ll be contributing directly to development.”
Hinting at both the complexity of the 2026 machinery and Hadjar’s increasingly valuable role in shaping its evolution, he also took part in a tyre test for the new compounds designed for the next era – his initial impressions were cautiously positive:
“They were pretty decent. Honestly, they behaved a bit differently, but performance-wise, they were there.”
The revised tyre dimensions, including slightly smaller profiles, have been a hot topic among drivers. But Hadjar downplayed their impact, saying the main noticeable difference was improved visibility.
Engineering growth the key to rookie season
While his performance on track has shown steady improvement, the French-Algerian driver credits the engineering aspect being the biggest learning curve of the season, and the key area for future growth.
“From an engineering point of view, maybe, that’s where I’m learning the most,” he explained. “It’s such a technical world.”
A quality many younger drivers have been adapting to in order to bridge the gap between driving and data feedback – mastering setup decisions, tyre management, and communication with engineers is where rookies develop early on.
With the final stretch of the 2025 season, the VCARB driver remains laser-focused on ending his first stint with his team on a high note.
