Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has been hailed as the ‘revelation of the season’. The young Parisian exceeded everyone’s expectations by consistently scoring points in his first ten Grands Prix and consistently qualifying in the top ten. As former teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggles at Red Bull, Hadjar is cautiously mentioned as a possible future teammate for Max Verstappen.
In the Beyond the Grid podcast, Hadjar was asked if he feels ready for a promotion to Red Bull. “No,” he answered honestly. “But I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity. I’m a fighter, that’s what it’s all about. What drives me is fighting against the best in the world,” he explained. “With Max (Verstappen, ed.) as a teammate, I would also learn a tremendous amount.” Hadjar spoke highly of Verstappen: “I think he’s a very relaxed guy,” he said. “He gets along with everyone, as long as things go well on the track. He’s just a cool guy.”
“The natural route for a Red Bull junior is to end up at the main team, isn’t it?” emphasized Hadjar, who has been part of the Red Bull training program since 2022. Despite ongoing speculation about his future, Hadjar made it clear that he remains loyal to Racing Bulls for the time being. “I’m extremely happy with my team,” he stressed. “I learn so much every weekend – I just want to keep doing that and enjoy it. Enjoy the battles with the other guys and not disappoint myself.”
Three Years of Development
During the race weekend in Montreal, Hadjar was confronted with a statement by former Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost, who once claimed that a driver is only ready for the top after three years in Formula 1. “There are drivers who are still developing even after ten years,” he responded. “I think it’s a fair comment. Three years sounds logical, but at the same time, you can also be successful in a top team in less time.”
He pointed to the upcoming changes in the technical regulations – even experienced drivers may have to start from scratch. “In fact, we all start over,” said Hadjar. “That makes it a bit easier. As a driver, I would like to have a fast car right away. Look at Lewis Hamilton for example – he started at McLaren and immediately performed at a top level. He didn’t need three years, although he was of course even better after three years.”
