Red Bull Racing’s Rising Star: Isack Hadjar Channels Max Verstappen’s Brilliance
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where every millisecond counts and every lap can change the game, one name is creating waves that have even the seasoned veterans raising their eyebrows. Isack Hadjar, a rookie driver for Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, has ignited the motorsport community with his dazzling debut season, drawing uncanny parallels to the reigning champion, Max Verstappen.
Helmut Marko, the sharp-eyed advisor at Red Bull, has been vocal about the striking similarities he sees between Hadjar and Verstappen. “Isack was very impressive,” Marko declared after the Singapore Grand Prix, a race where Hadjar faced setbacks but still showcased his potential. “He took P1 after just two laps. He was already with the fastest cars, and he did a very good lap in FP2 as well.”
Hadjar’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable. Excluding a disastrous crash in his opening race in Australia, he has emerged as a dominant force, racking up an impressive 38 points in just 18 races. His crowning achievement? A stunning podium finish at the Zandvoort circuit, which has not gone unnoticed in the Red Bull camp. The buzz surrounding his potential promotion to join Verstappen in the main team for the 2026 season is palpable, and Marko is doing little to quell the excitement.
What sets Hadjar apart is his uncanny adaptability—a trait that mirrors Verstappen’s own meteoric rise. Marko pointed out that Hadjar’s ability to tackle unfamiliar tracks without the need for extensive warm-up time is a significant advantage. “He doesn’t need any warm-up or knowledge and so on. So, it’s similar to Max,” Marko emphasized, highlighting the rookie’s instinctive grasp of racing dynamics.
While Hadjar is on an upward trajectory, his teammate Liam Lawson is facing a rough patch. The Singapore Grand Prix proved challenging for Lawson, who suffered a heavy crash at Turn 7 that necessitated a complete car rebuild. Despite these setbacks, including a second crash in FP3 that put immense pressure on his mechanics, Lawson managed to qualify for the race, albeit in a disappointing 13th position. Marko, while acknowledging Lawson’s struggles, praised his resilience: “He had a crash, but that can happen here. From his speed, he was also competitive.”
As Isack Hadjar continues to shine and draw comparisons with one of the greatest talents in F1 history, the racing world watches with bated breath. Will he secure his place alongside Verstappen in the future? With every race, he inches closer to making that dream a reality. Buckle up—this is just the beginning for Hadjar, and it promises to be a thrilling ride.