Isack Hadjar, now a driver for Red Bull’s Racing Bulls in Formula 1, revealed how he initially rejected the idea of meeting Red Bull’s Helmut Marko. The French driver shared that he never received a direct confirmation about his promotion to F1 for 2025, highlighting the unusual way the news was delivered.
Hadjar’s Early Reaction to Red Bull’s Interest and Unexpected Path to F1
Hadjar, who joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2022 and progressed through Formula 3 and Formula 2, recalled a surprising encounter at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix that set his F1 journey in motion. After winning from pole in the Formula Regional race there, his manager informed him that Helmut Marko wanted to meet him. Doubting the seriousness, Hadjar initially told his manager to “get lost.”
Eventually, he realized it was a genuine request and hurried to meet Marko, who was waiting at the lobby. Hadjar described the meeting as straightforward, with Marko simply telling him,
“I’ll send you a contract. That’s it.”
Although it felt unexpected at the time, Hadjar recognized later that this was how the Red Bull program operates.
“We had just walked in when my trainer said he got a call: ‘Helmut Marko wants to meet you.’ I told him to get lost. I thought he was joking,”
—Isack Hadjar
“We arrived completely soaked in sweat. Helmut was standing in the lobby. We sat down, and it was all very simple. He looked at me and said, ‘I’ll send you a contract. That’s it.’ At the time it felt strange, but I later understood – that’s how it works.”
—Isack Hadjar
After his F3 season in which he secured three wins and finished runner-up in the Formula 2 Championship, Hadjar earned a promotion to Racing Bulls for the 2025 season, finally achieving his aspiration to race in Formula 1.
The Unclear Communication About His F1 Promotion
Despite his advancement, Hadjar admitted he never got a clear or formal notification confirming his F1 seat for 2025. In his words,
“Helmut doesn’t like giving good news.”
The news came informally during a simulator session in Milton Keynes after the previous season ended, when he was told to travel to Faenza the next day without any explanation.
“I never got a call saying I’d be a Formula 1 driver,”
—Isack Hadjar
“No one ever said, ‘Good morning, Isack, you’re in F1 next year.’ Nothing like that. But obviously, I got the sense.”
—Isack Hadjar
“Only when last season ended, and I was doing a simulator session in Milton Keynes, they told me: ‘Tomorrow, you’re going to Faenza.’ I asked why, and they said: ‘Don’t worry, see you tomorrow.’”
—Isack Hadjar
“It’s funny now – but back then, it kept me on edge.”
—Isack Hadjar
Hadjar’s Impressive Start and Comparison with F1 Rookie Peers
As one of six newcomers on the 2025 grid, Hadjar has stood out by scoring 15 points in his first eight races with Racing Bulls, outperforming teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who was promoted to the main Red Bull team after the third round. His rapid adaptation and consistent pace caught the attention of Helmut Marko.
Marko expressed surprise at Hadjar’s smooth transition to Formula 1 and his ability to drive with relative ease, praising him as a “big surprise.”
“We knew he’s fast, but that he is so consistent, and that he is driving relatively easy, it’s also a surprise for us.”
—Helmut Marko
Hadjar’s emergence has shifted expectations among rookie drivers, showcasing the strength of the Red Bull Junior Team system. His trajectory from Formula Regional and Formula 3 to Formula 2 and finally to Formula 1 exemplifies Red Bull’s structured development pathway.
What Hadjar’s Journey Means for the Future of Red Bull and F1
Hadjar’s rapid rise and composed debut season suggests he could become a pivotal figure for Red Bull’s racing efforts beyond 2025. His experience under the careful, albeit sometimes indirect, guidance of Helmut Marko highlights the unique challenges faced by young drivers entering the high-pressure environment of Formula 1.
The unusual communication style from Red Bull’s management and Hadjar’s initial disbelief underscore the tension and uncertainty rookies endure when pushing to secure a spot in one of the most competitive motorsport championships. Moving forward, Hadjar’s continued performance will likely affect his standing within the team and the wider F1 grid throughout the season.
