Rookie Isack Hadjar is currently not eager to move up to the main Red Bull team. While Yuki Tsunoda is struggling to adapt to the Austrian racing stable, Hadjar is making a strong impression with the affiliate team, Racing Bulls. Experts, therefore, anticipate that the Frenchman will sooner or later get the chance to prove himself at Red Bull. However, in the run-up to the Canadian GP, the 20-year-old Parisian stated that he does not feel ‘ready yet’ for promotion.
After a disappointing Formula 1 debut – he crashed during the formation lap in the opening race in Melbourne – Hadjar has impressively bounced back. Consistent performances, particularly during the qualifications, have so far earned him 21 World Championship points. This puts him in a commendable ninth place in the drivers’ standings ahead of the race weekend in Montreal. With this, Hadjar has left both his teammate Liam Lawson and Red Bull colleague Yuki Tsunoda behind. Is it time for a change?
If it’s up to Hadjar, not for now. The French-Algerian driver does not feel ready yet to make the transition to Red Bull. “I absolutely do not feel ready for it,” he told Autosport.com. “That’s just a fact. I think it’s good to first gain experience with my current team. I enjoy every weekend and learn a lot. Moreover, I like driving the VCARB 02, so we’ll see what the future brings. As a Red Bull junior, it’s logical that I first go through this trajectory.”
‘Much Progress Yet to be Made’
While Hadjar is confident in his raw speed, he acknowledges that there is still work to be done in other areas, especially if he wants to measure up to the standard of Red Bull. “I think I don’t have enough experience with a difficult car,” he explained. “So far, my cars have been quite consistent and not the hardest to drive. I haven’t had weekends where the car felt terrible. As a result, I haven’t yet experienced what it’s like to take a car from zero to competitive in a single weekend,” he added.
“I think I can also make progress on a technical level,” he concluded. “Understanding what a Formula 1 car needs to go faster, and so on. You either have raw speed or you don’t, but there is much progress to be made in other areas.” Whether Hadjar will actually receive an offer from Red Bull remains to be seen. In the past, the team has often replaced drivers in favor of emerging talents, as was the case with Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly.
