Isack Hadjar’s performances are turning heads. The rookie previously surprised at Zandvoort with his third podium finish, and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also sees one major advantage the French driver has over his competition during free practice sessions. ‘He proves on almost every circuit that he can adapt very quickly,’ explains the Austrian.
Isack Hadjar kicked off the GP Singapore weekend strongly, clocking the second fastest time during the second free practice session. Only championship leader Oscar Piastri was faster during the chaotic session. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also noticed how the rookie was slightly quicker than Max Verstappen, and gives Hadjar a big compliment.
“Isack was very impressive,” Marko tells Motorsport.com. “He was at the top of the timesheet after just two laps. He was able to compete with the fastest cars on the grid, and he also drove a very good lap in FP2. He is definitely developing, and doing what we expect of him.”
Comparison with Verstappen
How quickly a driver gets used to a circuit is one of the aspects that Marko also pays attention to as a talent scout for Red Bull. In this regard, Hadjar reminds the Austrian of another Red Bull driver. “It’s one of his talents, and he has already proven on almost every circuit that he can adapt quickly. He doesn’t need a warm-up or prior knowledge. In that, he is similar to Max.”
