News
'I would say I'm ready' – Hadjar on potential Red Bull call-up
After the 'perfect race' in Japan, Isack Hadjar has said he would be ‘ready’ if Red Bull opted to shuffle their driver line-up again.
Hadjar is just three races into his Formula 1 career, but since his formation lap crash in the Australian season opener, the 20-year-old has shown impressive pace and scored points in Japan after crossing the line in 8th.
Red Bull have already enacted one driver change this year, replacing Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda after two Grands Prix.
But asked if he would be prepared to take the step up to Red Bull should an additional driver swap be called for – with Yuki Tsunoda having had a low-key debut for Red Bull in Suzuka, starting 14th and finishing 12th – Hadjar replied: “Of course. It’s Red Bull. It’s the big team."
“Of course, it’s a huge challenge and I’m not really planning on it at the moment. I’m just trying to do my best with what I have. But if I get the call, of course, I would say I’m ready. Even if I’m not, I would say I’m ready!”
Hadjar secured his first top-10 finish of the 2025 season at the Japanese Grand Prix as he bounced back from his Qualifying troubles to execute a “perfect race”.
The Frenchman endured some discomfort in Qualifying for the race due to an issue with his seatbelt, but he came through the other side to claim P7 on the grid and equal his best race start.
Despite losing one position to Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in the early stages, Hadjar was left energised by his strong performance at Suzuka Circuit as he netted four points for Racing Bulls and propelled himself to P13 in the standings.
“I was impressed since the first time he jumped in the car. His speed surprised all of us, but also the coolness which he showed."
HELMUT MARKO
On Isack Hadjar's introduction to F1
The team have struggled to pull off their strategy calls at previous races, including in China where they went against the pack and opted for a two-stop, but they had no such issues this weekend with Hadjar.
“It was a perfect race honestly,” he said afterwards. “It’s the first time this year [I’ve been] really happy.
“Even yesterday I felt I left some on the table but today, absolutely nothing so I’m really happy with the drive.”
He also confirmed that the seatbelt problem fortunately did not make a reappearance during the 53-lap Grand Prix, allowing him to fully focus and ultimately cross the line in P8, over three seconds ahead of the Williams of Alex Albon.
“Of course. It’s Red Bull. It’s the big team."
ISACK HADJAR
When asked if he would be prepared to step up to Red Bull
Hadjar also finished in front of his new team mate Liam Lawson, who swapped seats with Yuki Tsunoda to return to Racing Bulls – the New Zealander having previously driven in 11 races for them over the course of 2023 and 2024 and finished Sunday’s race in P17.
One person who was impressed by Hadjar’s Suzuka performance was Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko, who praised the French rookie's efforts.
“I was impressed since the first time he jumped in the car,” said Marko. “His speed surprised all of us, but also the coolness which he showed.
“Fortunately, he got points. I think he would have had points if the strategy had been correct in the last two races, but generally, I’m really happy to have such a new talent in our team.”
The result has left 20-year-old Hadjar feeling optimistic for the next stage of the season’s first triple header as the drivers now switch their attention to Bahrain, which differs greatly from the Suzuka track.
He explained: “I think the first three races have shown that we have a good car in all conditions and corners and every type of track, so I think in Bahrain we’ll still be up there, even though testing was not the best but it gives us a lot of confidence.”
