Hadjar set to unleash iconic Red Bull RB7 at historic French GP

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French F1 fans are in for a treat – and a blast from Grand Prix racing’s past – with Isack Hadjar gearing up to light up the Circuit Paul Ricard next month.

The Red Bull rising star will swap his modern machinery for something far more nostalgic – and successful – when he takes the wheel of Sebastian Vettel’s championship winning Red Bull RB7 during the 2026 Kennol Grand Prix de France Historique.

Hadjar’s chance to put on a show in front of a partisan crowd will take play during the event’s Fast & Famous segment on Saturday, May 9, and it promises to be anything but quiet.

The 21-year-old charger, who is currently navigating his sophomore season among the elite, will be "unleashing" one of the most dominant machines in motorsport history – the car that carried Vettel to 11 of its 12 wins during the German’s scorched-earth 2011 campaign.

A meeting of generations

Hadjar’s outing won’t be just a solo speed run; it will also be a high-octane family reunion for French motorsport as he’ll be sharing the track with a veritable Hall of Fame of French F1 veterans that will include the likes of Alain Prost, René Arnoux, Jean Alesi, Olivier Panis, and Philippe Alliot.

Against a backdrop of nearly 225 vintage race cars – including over 60 F1 machines spanning four decades – Hadjar’s appearance in the championship-winning Red Bull is poised to be the weekend’s crown jewel.

For the young driver, the gravity of the moment is not lost on him.

“Driving in front of a home crowd is something I always look forward to, and doing so as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver makes it even more special," Hadjar said.

"Sharing the track with some of the greatest French F1 drivers will be a huge personal moment for me. The RB7 is such an iconic car, and driving it alongside legends of our sport I grew up admiring feels like a full circle moment. I can’t wait to put on a great show for the fans."

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As the only event in France to feature authentic historic F1 races, the KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique has long been a pilgrimage for purists.

By dropping a current Red Bull star into a V8-era beast, the organizers are bridging the gap between the sport’s prestigious past and its bright French future.

For the fans, the sight of Hadjar pushing the RB7 to its limits will be a vivid reminder that while the cars change, the French passion for speed is eternal.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.