Isack Hadjar had a superb junior career and is being rewarded with a seat in Formula 1 at the Racing Bulls team.
The Frenchman contended for the Formula 2 championship this year for Campos Racing but missed out after Hadjar stalled on the grid in Abu Dhabi.
It was a difficult day but the raw speed was clear to see from round one in Bahrain with the Red Bull colours on the car.
Racing Bull’s new driver admitted he had some difficulties over his junior career, but Hadjar feels difficult moments make him stronger.
It is a superb opportunity to partner with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda next season, but Hadjar will be under immediate pressure to deliver.
Isack Hadjar will be under constant pressure from Arvid Lindblad
Arvid Lindblad is a Red Bull junior who is knocking on the door of Formula 1 as he ascends the junior ladder to F2.
The British driver will race in Formula 2 next year. He competed for the FIA F3 championship in his rookie season after stepping up from Italian F4.
This is an unorthodox route up the ladder as most drivers spend time refining their craft in regional F3 series such as GB3 or FRECA.
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Lindblad has shown he can adapt, as he takes little time to get up to speed when faced with a new championship.
He could be next in line to challenge for a Formula 1 seat at Racing Bulls if the 17-year-old keeps up his form and avoids mistakes.
Bild reported that Lindblad will pressure Hadjar if he consistently leads Formula 2 and adapts to new tracks, such as the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia.
Isack Hadjar has shown he can manage pressure in his career
Hadjar will experience higher levels of pressure than he has felt in 2025 as the Formula 1 paddock has much more attention than the junior series.
The Red Bull programme is constantly under scrutiny, as Dr Helmut Marko overlooks both Red Bull and Racing Bulls, as well as the junior drivers.
Hadjar dealt with a lot of expectations in the Formula 2 title battle as the eventual champion Gabriel Borteleto has his future secured with Sauber in F1.
By contrast, Hadjar was racing amid uncertainty as he battled for the vacant seat at Racing Bulls alongside Tsunoda.
Hadjar will have to hit the ground running, as the junior team behind him includes a lot of talent, such as Lindblad and German Tim Tramnitz.
