Isack Hadjar’s Formula 1 journey has been a rollercoaster in 2025 and after a disastrous start, he has picked up his form in spectacular fashion.
The Frenchman retired from his debut event at the Australian Grand Prix before the race had even started. Crashing on the formation lap left him visibly distraught as he returned to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls garage.
Such is Hadjar’s strength of character for his age; he didn’t let it affect him. He has scored more points than the team’s other two drivers – Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson – combined. They’ve both had stints at Red Bull, too.
Some may say that so far, he has been the most impressive of the Formula 1 rookies. He claimed three consecutive points finishes between Imola and Barcelona, and has been tipped for a promotion in the future.
Helmut Marko won’t hesitate to promote Hadjar, but there are calls for Red Bull to wait before doing so. They’ve rushed into similar decisions before, and over the last few years, none of them have gone well.
Away from the cameras, Racing Bulls staff love Hadjar’s heroics and were stunned to learn that he helped the team outscore Mercedes in the recent European triple header. The 20-year-old is in great form.
READ MORE: Former French F1 driver is begging Red Bull not to make drastic decision with Isack Hadjar in 2025
Isack Hadjar reveals the Red Bull ‘nightmare’ Helmut Marko saved him from in 2024
‘Nobody was expecting’ Hadjar’s rookie F1 season to be so good apart from esteemed Red Bull advisor Marko, who knows all about his potential.
Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Hadjar revealed how the Austrian saved him after a poor rookie Formula 2 season in 2023.
“I have an honest relationship with Helmut. He’s the person that basically got me a seat in Formula 1, gave me a path, a trajectory to F1, so I’m grateful for that,” he said.
“I remember my first F2 season was kind of a nightmare, and he kept believing. Gave me a second chance and I took it and I delivered.”
Hadjar finished 14th in F2 in 2023, with a best finish of third in sprints, and just fifth in the feature races. He bounced back in 2024 with four feature race victories, agonisingly missing out on the title at the last race in Abu Dhabi.
READ MORE: Isack Hadjar has made crucial change to Racing Bulls radio messages after F1 pre-season ’emotional’ warning
Why Isack Hadjar being promoted to Red Bull is ‘not necessary’
Hadjar is just 10 races into his first Formula 1 campaign, but heading into the 2026 F1 regulations, Red Bull’s driver situation is unclear.
Max Verstappen may be under contract until 2028, but he doesn’t have a teammate for next season currently, and Tsunoda hasn’t been impressing alongside him.
If they want to fight for the constructors’ championship ever again, two dependable drivers are going to be required, and that’s where Hadjar could come in.
However, Red Bull promoting Hadjar is ‘not necessary’ this early in his career, even if he has shown so much promise so early on. He at least needs a full season at Racing Bulls, and preferably a little longer too.
Stability never hurt anyone, but if there are such few options come the end of the year, it could be his time to step up and prove himself against the very best already.
Leave feedback about this