Isack Hadjar has shared his feelings about his recent addition to the Red Bull team, from the Racing Bulls, describing the transition as a genuine ‘cultural shock’. However, the 21-year-old driver claims that his experience in the junior program has facilitated this change.
After his debut season with Racing Bulls, Hadjar has joined the team featuring four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen for the 2026 season. Both teams belong to the same company, but the change in work environment has been notable.
“Certainly, it is a cultural shock,” Hadjar commented on the podcast Talking Bull. “You go from a family-oriented Italian team to a British one. It is very different.”
The driver highlighted that his previous experience with the young drivers program, including testing and training, has been crucial, allowing him to adjust more easily to the new team dynamics.
Hadjar has been linked to the Red Bull program since 2021 and emphasized that his working relationship with his current engineer, known as “Woody” (Richard Wood), began three years ago, which has helped ease his integration into the team.
“The transition to Red Bull is not the same as Lewis Hamilton’s from a team like Mercedes to Ferrari,” he stated. “Since 2021, I have already been doing tests and working with Woody. For me, it feels natural to be here now.”
Moreover, Hadjar confessed that he still experiences ‘moments of magic’ every time he enters the garage or prepares to get into the car, reflecting his excitement at being part of a winning team alongside a highly regarded teammate.
In his words, Hadjar stated: “I know I deserve to be here, but I also feel blessed to be able to experience this opportunity.”
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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