New teammate for Verstappen?
In the thrilling world of Formula 1, young French driver Isack Hadjar is making waves as a member of the Red Bull junior team, Racing Bulls. Hadjar's impressive performances have earned him a reputation as a strong candidate for promotion to Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season. However, Red Bull has confirmed that no driver changes will be made during the 2025 season, and Hadjar has yet to have direct talks about a promotion.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has hinted that the decision about Hadjar's promotion won't be made quickly. Mekies' words suggest that Hadjar's future in Formula 1, particularly his potential promotion, will be influenced by his performance in the coming races.
Hadjar's journey in Formula 1 started on a high note, with a memorable encounter as a child when he took a photo with Max Verstappen, the current four-time champion who is likely to finish second place behind Oscar Piastri in the McLaren this season. Verstappen has been a role model for Hadjar since his junior years.
Hadjar's first significant milestone came in his 14th Grand Prix, where he secured a podium finish, making him the youngest Frenchman to do so. This achievement was made even more remarkable by the fact that he finished third in the Dutch Grand Prix, one of the four youngest drivers ever to step onto the podium in Formula 1. Lando Norris' retirement in second place allowed Hadjar to make it to the podium.
Hadjar's performance was impressive, even if he had finished in fourth place in other races. After his career-best finish, Hadjar broke his first Formula 1 trophy in the heat of the moment, a testament to his passion for the sport. He also expressed happiness about being able to spray champagne with second-placed Max Verstappen.
The international press has praised Hadjar's performances. "L'Equipe" commented that he doesn't need to drive a Red Bull to stand on the podium at a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the "Mirror" stated that Hadjar would be a hot contender for the Rookie of the Year award if one existed.
Looking ahead, Hadjar faces a challenging race at Monza due to the very long straights. However, he will have the chance to repeat his feat as early as next Sunday at the team's home race in Italy's Monza. Hadjar's performance at Monza in 2020, where Pierre Gasly won a race for the small Red Bull team, brings back nice memories for Hadjar.
Despite the ups and downs, Hadjar remains focused and determined. He reflected that he thought his life was over after crashing out during the formation lap before the season-opening race in Australia. But Anthony Hamilton, the father of record world champion Lewis Hamilton, consoled Hadjar after the crash, providing him with the encouragement he needed to bounce back.
As Hadjar continues to make his mark in Formula 1, fans and experts alike are eagerly awaiting to see if he will secure a spot on the Red Bull Racing team for the 2026 season. With his talent, determination, and the support of Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, anything is possible for this young French driver.
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