Formula 1: New Verstappen colleague? Hadjar delivers the best arguments

Isack Hadjar was able to laugh quickly about his only mistake on a fantastic day. In the exuberance of the feelings, the Frenchman broke the first Formula 1 trophy of his career, which he had secured as third in the Netherlands thanks to a masterly journey. Only four pilots were younger in the history of the motorsport king class the first jump on the podium. At the age of 20 and 337 days, Hadjar in Zandvoort delivered the next good argument to soon secure one of the most coveted cockpit.

“I don’t want to drive next to Max. I don’t like him,” said Hadjar and grinned shortly afterwards. Of course he was not serious, but immediately after the greatest success of his career, he was asked if he soon saw himself at Red Bull. The place alongside world champion Max Verstappen should be released again in 2026 because the Japanese Yuki tsunoda is not convincing. Hadjar from the sister team Racing Bulls seems to be the logical successor, he does an outstanding job in his first year in the racing series.

Verstappen praises: “To see fantastic”

“It was not easy as a rookie with these cars. He absolutely deserves that he is on the podium here,” said Verstappen: “Isack brings the job to an end – and that is simply fantastic to see.” And how would he find it when Hadjar 2026 gets the second Red Bull cockpit? “Terrible,” said Verstappen, but immediately pushed after: “I’m just fun.”

The truth also includes that Hadjar, born in Paris, who has Algerian roots, only came to the podium because Lando Norris in the McLaren was in second place. But even fourth, he would have delivered no less considerable. Already in the qualification he had surprisingly finished fourth. An “extraordinary race” also certified Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies to the hope.

The Frenchman will also have a say in whether the World Cup-tenth Hadjar will be promoted. Mekies indicated that this will certainly not be determined quickly. Hadjar also did not want to publicly waste how his career is going on. Rather, he was particularly pleased to be able to spray champagne with the second -placed Verstappen. Even as a child, he took a photo with him as a fan.

Hadjar “Hot candidate” as a rookie of the year

“Max is someone I have been looking at since my junior time,” said Hadjar. Verstappen’s past five years “were outstanding,” he said. The Dutchman became world champion four times during this time, but this season he will probably have to give up Zandvoort winner Oscar Piatri. In the McLaren, the Australian confidently heads his first title.

Can Hadjar succeed in the future? “A podium was my goal since I was a child. That is the first step now and hopefully many will be added,” said Hadjar.

There was praise from the international press for this. “Isack Hadjar does not have to drive Red Bull to be on the podium on a Formula 1 Grand Prix. His racing bulls are enough for him,” wrote the French “L’Equipe”. And the English “Mirror” judged: “In Formula 1 there is no award as a rookie of the year, but if there was one, Isack Hadjar would be a hot candidate.”

“I thought my life was over”

It didn’t look like it at the beginning of the year. When he slipped off the route in the introductory round before the opening race in Australia and left very embarrassed before the actual start, he shed tears. Among others, Anthony Hamilton, the father of record world champion Lewis Hamilton, then comforted the youngster.

“I thought my life was over,” Hadjar said in retrospect from the scene in Melbourne in March: “But then it becomes clear that something like this can happen, you recover very quickly.” However, he did not expect that it was possible in the 14th Grand Prix of his career, as the youngest Frenchman to ever race onto a podium: “That’s why I’m just overjoyed now.”

He can repeat his coup next Sunday, and one of his predecessors has already made a sensation at the team’s home game in Monza, Italy. In 2020, compatriot Pierre Gasly won the race for the small Red Bull team. “It always arouses nice memories,” said Hadjar: “Given the very long straight, it will be difficult. But we hope for a good result.”