Source:REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
[Saba Sports News] After confirming the driver lineup for the 2026 season, newly promoted driver Isack Hadjar revealed that his ascent to Red Bull Racing was entirely different from the team’s past traditions. Instead of the iconic “Welcome to Red Bull Racing” from Christian Horner, he only had a brief conversation with Helmut Marko.
For nearly two decades, under Horner’s leadership, he personally welcomed each new driver with that familiar line, which had come to be seen as part of the team’s unique culture. For instance, Liam Lawson excitedly shared about the phone call he received when he learned of his promotion. However, Horner left the team after this year’s British Grand Prix, with Laurent Mekies taking over, and this tradition was consequently interrupted.
In the interview, Hadjar also revealed the behind-the-scenes details of his promotion, stating that it was through a conversation with Marko. Marko told him, “If you want to drive for Red Bull, you must deliver outstanding performance.” Hadjar expressed that joining the Red Bull Racing team is highly significant for his career and that it coinciding with the new regulations in 2026 is an ideal opportunity. When discussing his goals for the 2026 season, Hadjar candidly stated that he currently has no expectations, as all teams will be starting from scratch.