Horner reveals ‘turning heads’ moment with Red Bull promotion

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed Isack Hadjar “turned heads” with his pace at the post-season test from Abu Dhabi.

Hadjar stepped behind the wheel of the RB20 at the Yas Marina Circuit with Yuki Tsunoda driving the other Red Bull challenger.

The duo will be team-mates at Racing Bulls next year with Liam Lawson departing the squad after being called up to race for Red Bull.

Hadjar raced in the Formula 2 championship this year ahead and finished runner-up in the standings to Gabriel Bortoleto, who will also race in F1 next year with Stake.

Horner outlined Red Bull was impressed by Hadjar’s form in comparison to Tsunoda during the post-season test.

“Isack is another talent,” Horner told select media including RacingNews365. 

“He’s quick. He jumped in the car, he was faster than Yuki in the test last week, which turned heads.”

Hadjar will be one of six full-time rookies in 2025 with Horner acknowledging the Frenchman’s style requires some smoothing out.

“He’s definitely a raw talent and needs a little bit of polishing, but he has the speed,” he said.

“He was unfortunate in Formula 2 to miss out at the last race due to technical glitches with start line software, from what I understand.

“But he’s impressed as well, particularly with his speed. It will be interesting to see how things pan out.”