Liam Lawson Endorses Isack Hadjar for Red Bull F1 Seat, Declares Him 'Ready'

Why it matters:

Red Bull's junior driver program is intensely competitive, with only the most promising talents making it to Formula 1. Liam Lawson's endorsement of Isack Hadjar highlights the young Frenchman's rapid rise and strong potential for a future F1 role, especially amidst speculation about Red Bull's 2025 driver lineup.

The big picture:

Isack Hadjar has enjoyed a standout rookie campaign, culminating in his first career podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. This success has fueled speculation about his potential promotion to a Red Bull-affiliated F1 team next year, coinciding with significant technical regulation changes.

The details:

• Lawson, who briefly drove for the senior Red Bull team this year before Yuki Tsunoda's return, has been closely observing Hadjar's performance.
• He praised Hadjar's "very good job this year," particularly his "spectacular" podium finish.
• Lawson noted, "In some ways, I think a lot of drivers always feel ready for another step. He's doing all the right things right now."

What's next:

The Red Bull F1 car has historically been challenging for many drivers to master alongside Max Verstappen. While acknowledging this potential hurdle, Lawson believes the 20-year-old Hadjar is well-equipped to handle the opportunity.

"It depends on what position the car is in next year, how it is to drive," Lawson stated. "That's probably the biggest thing about that seat right now. So there are a lot of variables there. As a driver, he's ready. If you're ready to be in F1 in the first place, I think you'd be ready for that kind of position."

Hadjar's continued performance in the junior categories will be crucial as Red Bull evaluates its future driver options.