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Isack Hadjar doesn’t “feel ready" for Red Bull F1 switch

Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar says he "doesn't feel ready" to drive for Red Bull's main Formula 1 team just yet, and believes "it’s good” to continue his current trajectory at the junior side.

F2 runner-up Hadjar is one of the standout drivers of the 2025 F1 season so far, currently sitting ninth in the drivers' championship and scoring 21 of Racing Bulls’ 28 points.

This impressive form prompted talk of the Frenchman being next in line for Red Bull promotion as early as next year. Now, with lead driver Max Verstappen one penalty point away from a race ban, Hadjar might even be in the frame for an earlier Red Bull debut if the circumstances require it.

But the 22-year-old said that he doesn't feel ready to take up the seat at the main team just yet, preferring to continue his impressive development at the junior outfit instead.

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls (Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images)

"For sure, I don't feel ready. That's a fact," Hadjar said ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

"I think it's good to take experience where I'm at. I'm enjoying so much every weekend, learning a lot. It's a car I enjoy driving, so we'll see in the future. As a Red Bull Junior driver, the trajectory is normal to go there."

Hadjar agreed that given the recent history of Red Bull's second seat, with his past and present Racing Bulls team-mates Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda both struggling, being handed a premature promotion might not be the best move for his career.

"It's fair to say that," he acknowledged. "Because Liam and Yuki are quality drivers, so it's normal to think that. I'm just curious [about] being next to Max. That's the only thing I can say."

When asked what he feels he is still missing to be ready for the next step in his career, Hadjar replied: "I think I maybe haven't experienced enough a tricky car. So far, my cars have been very consistent and not the hardest to drive. I didn't have weekends where the car felt terrible. I don't have experience of trying to bring a car from zero to high in a single weekend.

"I think maybe on the technical aspect as well I can still make progress. Understanding what an F1 car needs to go faster and so on. I think raw speed, you have it or not, but it's more outside of that." 

Photos from Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Alex Albon, Williams

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Alex Albon, Williams

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Laurent Mekies, RB F1 Team

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Andy Cowell, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Andy Stevenson, Sporting Director at Aston Martin F1 Team

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Thursday

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In this article
Filip Cleeren
Formula 1
Isack Hadjar
Racing Bulls
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