Isack Hadjar posted the worst finish of his Formula 1 career to date at the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend. Racing Bulls could soon drop into the bottom two of the championship.
Hadjar failed to make it three Q3 appearances in succession as he qualified 12th. He did at least better struggling teammate Liam Lawson, who suffered a third Q1 exit in four Grands Prix.
The Frenchman made an exceptionally early pit stop on lap seven but couldn’t achieve the same undercut as compatriot Esteban Ocon. Haas got both cars in the points, while Alpine also moved within a point of Racing Bulls thanks to Pierre Gasly’s P7.
Hadjar would cross the line 14th, though he later gained a spot due to Nico Hulkenberg’s disqualification. He failed to start the race in Australia after a formation lap crash, so this was his lowest position of the year.
Things were even more desperate on the other side of the garage, with Lawson classified 16th after receiving two penalties.
Helmut Marko told Isack Hadjar he was too cautious at Bahrain Grand Prix
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko went to see Hadjar after the Bahrain Grand Prix. He’s assessing whether the 20-year-old has what it takes to race for the top team one day.
But he wasn’t pleased with the rookie’s mentality this weekend. He felt he was ‘too cautious’ on Saturday, having previously dazzled with back-to-back P7s.
That’s not an approach Marko will accept at this level. And he also wants him to learn from a sloppy getaway.
| RACE | Q | R |
| Australia | 11 | DNS |
| China Sprint | 15 | 13 |
| China | 7 | 11 |
| Japan | 7 | 8 |
| Bahrain | 13 | 12 |
“He had a lot of wheel spin at the start, and he was too cautious in qualifying,” Marko said to Sky Germany. “I told him that in Formula 1, you always have to be at the limit. Next time it will be better.”
Marko issued a brutal verdict on Hadjar after the Australian GP, calling his trackside tears embarrassing. The 2024 F2 runner-up responded well, and he’s now received another prod.
Why Damon Hill wasn’t sure about Isack Hadjar before impressive Racing Bulls start
After practice in Bahrain, Marko called Hadjar ‘the surprise’ of the season so far. He will still be broadly pleased with his newest hire.
Right now, he’s clearly ahead of Lawson in Marko’s pecking order. And with fresh talk that Verstappen is considering his Red Bull future, that could be crucial.
Damon Hill has raved about Hadjar, calling his adaptation to F1 ‘very impressive’. He wasn’t sure how he’d fare after an inconsistent campaign in F2.
Hadjar finished as the runner-up to Gabriel Bortoleto, who’s now driving for Sauber. Bortoleto has yet to score in the slowest car on the grid, while fellow rookie Jack Doohan is still looking to get off the mark as well.
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