Helmut Marko Sees Max Verstappen-Like Adaptability in Isack Hadjar

Red Bull's motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has highlighted a striking similarity between rising F1 talent Isack Hadjar and four-time world champion Max Verstappen: their exceptional ability to quickly adapt and find pace on new circuits. Hadjar's impressive showing at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he rapidly climbed the leaderboards in practice, underscores Marko's observations, suggesting a promising future for the young Frenchman within the Red Bull driver development program.

Why it matters:

• The ability to adapt quickly to new tracks and conditions is a hallmark of elite F1 drivers, directly impacting performance in a sport where track time is limited and variables are constant.
• Helmut Marko's comparison to Max Verstappen, one of the most successful and adaptable drivers on the current grid, is a significant endorsement of Hadjar's potential.
• This rapid adaptability could be a crucial factor in Hadjar's progression within the Red Bull hierarchy, particularly as the team looks to identify future talent for both its main and sister teams.

The Details:

• Singapore GP Performance: Isack Hadjar, driving for Racing Bulls, demonstrated remarkable speed during Friday's practice sessions at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, a track he had never raced on before.
  • He secured the second-fastest time in FP2, just 0.132 seconds behind Oscar Piastri and notably ahead of Max Verstappen.
  • In the first practice session, Hadjar already placed himself within the top 10, showcasing immediate pace.
• Marko's Observation: Helmut Marko emphasized that Hadjar's immediate speed on unfamiliar circuits, and his quick adjustment from F2 to F1, is a consistent pattern.
  • "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 stated.
  • Marko considers this 'getting up to speed immediately' quality a key indicator of a driver's adaptability and talent.
• Verstappen Comparison: Marko explicitly drew a parallel to Max Verstappen, who is renowned for his ability to instantly find pace in any car, on any track, and in varied conditions, including his recent GT3 outings.
  • While acknowledging Verstappen's superior level, Marko sees a similar inherent trait in Hadjar: "He doesn't need any warm-up or knowledge and so on. So, it's similar to Max."
• Liam Lawson's Weekend: Hadjar's Racing Bulls teammate, Liam Lawson, had a more challenging Friday, crashing early in FP2. However, Marko was lenient, noting that such incidents can occur on a demanding street circuit and that Lawson's underlying speed was competitive.

What's Next:

• Hadjar remains a strong candidate for promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2026, though Marko maintains that there is no rush, with the Mexican Grand Prix potentially serving as another reference point for his evaluation.
• The Racing Bulls' overall performance in Singapore left Marko optimistic, suggesting they could finish "quite high up," despite not being in contention for a win.
• Continued strong performances and demonstrations of this rapid adaptability will be crucial for Hadjar as he aims to solidify his position as a top prospect within the Red Bull driver development pipeline.