Isack Hadjar Shares Mixed Feelings About Red Bull Promotion

Montreal, Canada – Isack Hadjar has admitted he would not feel ready for a promotion to Red Bull Racing, despite his curiosity about what the opportunity might bring. The 20-year-old French driver currently competes for Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, and has shown impressive form in his debut Formula 1 season.

Hadjar made his F1 debut earlier this year after finishing second in the previous year’s F2 championship, just behind Gabriel Bortoleto. He faced a challenging start in Australia but quickly rebounded, finishing in the top 10 in several races, including a fifth-place start and sixth-place finish in Monaco.

With Red Bull currently struggling alongside Max Verstappen, Hadjar’s name has come up in discussions about potential driver changes. In a media session ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Hadjar acknowledged the pressure of a potential call-up, stating, “It’s a bit scary. I wouldn’t feel ready.”

He emphasized his respect for existing drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, saying, “I’m just nine races in and it looks to be complicated when you look at Yuki and Liam, who are very quality drivers.” Nevertheless, Hadjar expressed his eagerness to learn and grow during his time at Racing Bulls.

“I’m also curious,” he continued. “I would like to know what’s going on. I’d love to have a taste of what the highest level is like.” Hadjar noted that he enjoys his current position and is focused on developing his skills for the future.

Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant, praised Hadjar’s performance this season, calling him the best rookie in 2025 thus far. “He comes to a circuit which he doesn’t know, and within three laps, he is competitive,” Marko said.

Despite being linked to Red Bull, Hadjar maintains a humble perspective, saying, “I’m happy where I’m at, but at the same time, I’m curious. I haven’t thought about it because it’s very unlikely to happen.” He sits ninth in the drivers’ championship, having scored 21 points for Racing Bulls.