Following a disastrous debut at the Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s rookie driver, Isack Hadjar, was criticized by the veteran of the team, Helmut Marko. Hadjar, who experienced a heart-wrenching mishap during the formation lap of the race, was labeled “embarrassing” by Marko, a senior advisor at Red Bull.
The first race of the 2025 F1 season, held in Melbourne, proved to be a challenging affair for both the seasoned drivers and the newcomers. Unpredictable weather conditions, transitioning from dry to cold, wet, and windy, made the event even more daunting.
Hadjar, a fresh face in Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls, unfortunately, became the first casualty of the race. The young Frenchman spun out on the second turn of the formation lap, striking the barriers with the rear of his VCARB 02. This incident marked the end of his debut race and Hadjar returned to the paddock visibly upset.
Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony, was seen comforting the distraught rookie. However, Marko, who oversees Red Bull’s driver program, was less compassionate. The seasoned team advisor, in an interview with the Austrian broadcaster ORF, referred to Hadjar’s emotional display as a “tearful show”, adding that it was “a bit embarrassing.”
When quizzed by the media about his feelings post-race, Hadjar expressed his embarrassment and regret. He apologized to his team, acknowledging that he had overstepped his boundaries, resulting in the unfortunate incident. He expressed his frustration at the early setback in the season and the missed opportunity to gain more experience, especially on a wet track. Despite his difficult journey to F1 and previous low moments, this particular incident seemed to hit the young driver hard.
Despite Marko’s harsh critique, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, offered a more empathetic perspective. He acknowledged the emotional toll the crash had taken on Hadjar, reminding everyone that these drivers, despite their professional roles, are still young. Horner encouraged Hadjar to focus on the positive aspects of his performance during the practice and qualifying rounds, asserting that brighter days were ahead for the rookie driver.
With the Australian Grand Prix behind him, Hadjar will surely be looking to learn from this experience and bounce back stronger in the upcoming races. While the incident was undoubtedly a blow to his morale, the support from figures like Horner will be crucial in helping him navigate the high-pressure world of Formula 1.