Isack Hadjar’s podium finish has significantly uplifted the spirit of the Racing Bulls team, according to team principal Alan Permane. The French–Algerian rookie’s breakthrough in Belgium not only showcased his talent but also energized the entire Faenza factory, providing crucial motivation during the 2025 season.
How Hadjar’s Podium Marked a Turning Point for Racing Bulls
Hadjar earned his first Formula 1 podium following Lando Norris’s retirement in the Belgium Grand Prix, where he started strong after qualifying fourth on merit. Despite challenging wet conditions, the young driver held off fierce competition from established teams like Ferrari and Mercedes. At times, he even matched the pace of Max Verstappen. This achievement became only the sixth podium in the history of the Faenza-based Racing Bulls team, which originated as Red Bull’s junior outfit.
Permane stressed that Hadjar’s success was well-deserved and highlighted the impact it had on the team’s morale. While acknowledging Norris’s bad luck with a technical failure that ended his race, the British team principal described the podium as a milestone that the organization desperately needed after limited podium appearances in its history.
Reflecting on what Hadjar’s podium meant personally and for the team, Permane told Sportskeeda:
“Amazing, of course. I think it’s been amazing for everyone in this organisation, and even in my previous role it would have been amazing. It’s a results business we’re in, so to achieve a podium is fantastic, for Isack [Hadjar] to achieve it on merit, we of course have to say a small apology, or say that we feel a little bit for Lando [Norris] and his misfortune there. But we were fourth, racing Ferrari [and] racing Mercedes on merit, so a very well-deserved podium, a great feeling, and really great to not only experience it on Sunday. But Monday I was back in the factory in Italy with all the staff, we all got the staff together to have a small celebration in the afternoon, that was really good to see everyone’s faces and the motivation of everyone, it’s great.” – Alan Permane, Team Principal
The effect on the atmosphere at the Faenza factory was equally profound. Permane elaborated on the motivational boost such results bring:
“Hugely, results are everything, you can feel it, you can feel the whole factory lifted up by something like that, especially something that’s a much stronger result than we’ve had for the rest of this season. I think this team has scored five or six podiums in its history, so it’s a big deal for this team, yet you certainly feel the passion and the excitement of all the staff.” – Alan Permane, Team Principal
Comparison of Drivers Under Permane’s Guidance at Racing Bulls
Alan Permane shared his insights into the different qualities of Racing Bulls’ current drivers: Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar. He attributed distinct strengths and adaptation styles to each, underscoring how these affect their performance within the team.
Yuki Tsunoda, with five seasons at Racing Bulls, impresses with natural speed and exceptional tire management, which often surprises even the team principal. Tsunoda’s experience allows him to deliver consistency and competitive laps repeatedly.
By contrast, Liam Lawson’s approach is more analytical. Permane noted that Lawson required additional time to settle into the car’s setup to extract his best performance. This slower adaptation period delayed consistent competitiveness but eventually yielded positive results amid his learning curve.
Hadjar, the rookie, stands out for his adaptability and willingness to adjust his driving style. Rather than sticking to one fixed approach, he focuses on optimizing the car’s strengths in varying conditions, which is a notable asset.
Permane summarized the drivers’ qualities in a detailed statement:
“Well, they’re all very quick. Yuki obviously a lot more experienced than the other guys, I think he was in his fifth season when I worked with even I was pleasantly surprised, getting to know Yuki and again, like to think I tried to help him anywhere I could. Again, a super, super quick driver and one guy who really seemed to understand how to get the best out of the tires and serving in a qualifying lap, he was able to really put a very good lap together.” – Alan Permane, Team Principal
“Liam is a bit more analytical driver. It took us a little bit of time to get the car to his liking. You see at the start of the season, he obviously had a couple of very tough braces with Red Bull then came to us and it took us three or four or five races, to really understand how to put a car together for him. We did that, we had a bit of a breakthrough. Around Monaco, Austria time, we really started to get comfortable with the car. But he’s a guy who’s quite analytical with his driving and with his setup.” – Alan Permane, Team Principal
“I think with Isack, he’s a guy who will drive. He will just try and get the best out of the car. He doesn’t seem to have a particular style, could really point to or identify, but it feels like you give him what’s quickest and he’ll try and make that. He’ll drive that, which is a real strength in a driver.” – Alan Permane, Team Principal
Current Season Performance and Team Standings
Of the three drivers, only Hadjar has secured a podium for Racing Bulls so far, which underlines his significant contribution in 2025. Meanwhile, Tsunoda and Lawson have demonstrated their strong qualifying pace, with Tsunoda securing a third-place start in Brazil and Lawson matching this at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Lawson’s recent fifth-place finish in Baku was especially encouraging, indicating a potential upward trajectory in his performance this season.
As of now, Racing Bulls rank sixth in the constructors’ championship, accumulating 72 points. They trail Williams by 34 points but maintain a modest 10-point lead over Aston Martin, which was the midfield leader in 2024. With the ongoing season, these standings reflect a competitive midfield battle where Racing Bulls aims to build on its recent successes.
The Importance of Hadjar’s Podium for the Team’s Future
Hadjar’s achievement serves as an important motivational milestone for Racing Bulls, stimulating renewed energy and focus across the team. The impact extends beyond individual success, breathing optimism into staff at the Faenza factory and the broader organization. This boost could translate into improved car development and stronger race strategies as the team pushes to climb higher in the standings.
Alan Permane’s leadership and understanding of his drivers’ unique qualities also suggest that Racing Bulls has the foundation to nurture talent and extract maximum performance amid tough competition. With Hadjar leading by example through his adaptability and resilience, the Racing Bulls team appears poised to seek further breakthroughs and consistent results as the season progresses.
