The key similarity Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar…

Helmut Marko is impressed by how quickly Isack Hadjar gets up to speed on new tracks, and even called it a similarity with Max Verstappen.

Hadjar started the Singapore Grand Prix on a strong note by setting the second-fastest time on Friday. In the first practice session, the rookie already placed himself in the top 10, and at the end of FP2 Hadjar stepped it up another notch. The 21-year-old Frenchman was just 0.132 seconds off Oscar Piastri, and narrowly ahead of Verstappen.

It must be noted that Hadjar set his time in the very last minutes of FP2 – when track conditions were at their best – but that doesn’t take away from the strong showing by the Racing Bulls driver.

Up to speed immediately, just like Verstappen

According to Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Marko, the practice day in Singapore fits a pattern: almost everywhere Hadjar goes – even on tracks where he has never raced before, as is the case at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore – the speed is immediately there.

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team (Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images)

“Isack was very impressive. 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. So, he's progressing and he's doing what we are expecting from him,” Marko told Motorsport.com in the paddock.

The very first laps on a new track are an aspect Marko pays close attention to as a talent scout. How quickly a driver gets up to speed says something about their adaptability. It’s an aspect that seems more than solid in Hadjar’s case, also evident in his quick adjustment from F2 to F1.

Marko admitted in Singapore that it reminds him, in a way, of Verstappen – although he made clear that the four-time world champion is still of a different level. Verstappen is also able to show speed immediately at the start of a session or in changeable conditions. In the Dutchman's case, this was seen in his recent GT3 outings as well, where he quickly matched the pace of true specialists.

Marko recognises it to some extent in Hadjar too. “I mean, it's another advantage he has, and he proved it at nearly every circuit he came,” The Austrian said. “He doesn't need any warm-up or knowledge and so on. So, it's similar to Max.”

Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing (Photo by: Marco Canoniero / LightRocket via Getty Images)

Hadjar is still on pole-position for promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2026, though Marko continues to stress that the team is in no rush, with the Mexican Grand Prix at the end of October as a potential reference point.

Marko lenient with Liam Lawson after crash

Liam Lawson, Hadjar’s team-mate at Racing Bulls, fared the worst on Friday in Singapore. After an impressive weekend in Baku, the New Zealander crashed relatively early in FP2, causing the second red flag of the day. However, Marko was not too harsh in his judgement afterwards.

“He had a crash, but that can happen here. From his speed he was also competitive.”

Overall, the Friday performance left Marko fairly optimistic about Racing Bulls’ chances under the floodlights. Asked what is possible for Red Bull’s sister team, the 82-year-old laughed:

“Well, they are not in the mix for the win! But I think they could be quite high up.”