Isack Hadjar has been quietly going about his business in 2025 and has been one of the most impressive Formula 1 rookies.
The Frenchman has scored more points than Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson combined, who have both received opportunities to drive for Red Bull.
At the age of 20, Hadjar has the opportunity to have a very long career ahead of him, but he has to keep impressing.
He’s in a notoriously difficult environment to do that, but if he succeeds, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko might just place him next to Max Verstappen one day.
Promoting Hadjar to Red Bull is ‘not necessary’ in 2025 as it may only destabilise the team further by going through a third driver change within 12 months.
It may not be a terrible idea ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations, with Hadjar being a contender to replace Tsunoda, and probably first in line for the gig currently.
READ MORE: Racing Bulls chief explains why he was so impressed with Isack Hadjar’s F1 debut despite his high-profile crash
Helmut Marko has been ‘very impressed’ by Isack Hadjar after career-best Monaco Grand Prix result
Hadjar was ‘totally wiped out’ at the Monaco Grand Prix, which makes his performance in the race even more impressive for someone who was sick.
It shows a little about his level of grit and determination – the sort of traits that would make for a good Red Bull driver.
Speaking to The Race, Matt Majendie revealed that Marko told him at Monaco about the performance of the 20-year-old so far this season.
“I chatted to Dr Marko before the race. I was chatting with him and a couple of the Dutch journalists about the young drivers and Hadjar in particular,” he said.
“Just observing Hadjar at the weekend, he’s really confident. He carries like a real confidence about the place. I hadn’t really seen him up close and personal so much. Very popular figure, all eyes on him, everyone seems to, yeah, there’s a real sort of soft spot for him.
“Talking to Dr Marko, very impressed by him. At the same time, in his inevitable style, he then starts talking about the other drivers. Not just about Hadjar, but Arvid Lindblad and others as well. They’ve just got this talent pool.”
READ MORE: Isack Hadjar shares the ‘strange’ Helmut Marko interaction that led to him signing with Red Bull
Would it be good for Isack Hadjar’s F1 career to move to Red Bull?
The fact that there is even a debate over whether a young driver should be excited to move to a race-winning car says a lot about Red Bull’s current issues.
They need to make their car more driver-friendly for anyone who isn’t the current reigning champion, or they may never compete for the constructors’ championship again.
Hadjar made a crucial change at Racing Bulls and became less emotional over the radio. His rookie adjustments are already paying off.
Should he continue to outscore his teammate Lawson, and Tsunoda, it will only be a matter of time before his employer decides that enough is enough and promotes him.
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