Newly promoted Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar has expressed admiration for his Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda as he prepares to join the 2025 F1 grid. The 20-year-old Frenchman, fresh off an impressive Formula 2 campaign, views Tsunoda’s experience and journey as a blueprint for success in his own debut season.
The Next Step in Hadjar’s Career
Hadjar’s meteoric rise through the ranks of Red Bull’s junior program culminated in his promotion to Formula 1 following Liam Lawson’s move to Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez’s departure. Describing the move as a dream come true, Hadjar shared his excitement:
“The journey from karting through the ranks in single-seaters, to now being in Formula 1 is the moment I’ve been working towards my whole life,” said Hadjar. “It is the dream. I feel like I’m stepping into a whole new universe, driving a much faster car and racing with the best drivers in the world.”
Hadjar also emphasized his eagerness to learn from Tsunoda, whom he described as a role model: “I’ve always looked up to him. He went through the Red Bull Junior Programme, like myself, and we’ve shared a similar path to F1. He’s very experienced and will be good to learn from.”
Tsunoda: The Leader at Racing Bulls
With five seasons of F1 experience at Faenza under his belt, Yuki Tsunoda steps into the role of team leader for Racing Bulls. Despite being overlooked for a Red Bull Racing seat, Tsunoda has consistently demonstrated growth and resilience, proving himself a valuable asset for the Red Bull program.
Tsunoda’s new role will involve mentoring Hadjar, a task team boss Bayer believes suits him well. Speaking earlier in the year, Bayer highlighted Tsunoda’s potential to guide younger drivers:
“You need to have one experienced driver, somebody like Yuki, who has now done a couple of years. Yuki is somebody who can take another driver under his wings, which aligns well with the Red Bull philosophy.”
With Hadjar openly looking up to him, Tsunoda has an opportunity to solidify his leadership role while shaping the next generation of Red Bull talent.
A Team Balancing Youth and Experience
The 2025 Racing Bulls driver lineup exemplifies Red Bull’s strategy of blending youth with experience. Hadjar brings fresh energy and ambition as a rookie, while Tsunoda’s seasoned presence ensures stability and guidance. The dynamic pairing could yield promising results for the Faenza-based team, which has a history of grooming future stars.
Hadjar’s Big Challenge
While Hadjar’s promotion is a testament to his talent, stepping into F1 is no small feat. Competing against established drivers and adapting to the physical and technical demands of the sport will require rapid growth. His collaboration with Tsunoda could be the key to accelerating his development:
“It’ll be a huge learning curve,” Hadjar admitted. “But I’m ready to work hard and do the best I can for the team.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
The upcoming season will test both Racing Bulls drivers. For Tsunoda, it’s a chance to prove his leadership qualities and reassert his value within the Red Bull ecosystem. For Hadjar, it’s the beginning of a journey to establish himself as a future star in Formula 1. Together, they form a lineup poised for growth, resilience, and possibly surprising results on the track.