Isack Hadjar secured his first Formula 1 podium at the Dutch Grand Prix for Racing Bulls, a remarkable achievement that saw him finish third behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies lauded the rookie's performance, emphasizing it was earned on merit.
Why it matters
Hadjar's strong showing at Zandvoort, culminating in a podium, highlights his potential and validates Racing Bulls' investment in him. It also brings into focus the competitive dynamic within the Red Bull family, particularly regarding driver freedom.
The details
- Hadjar, who qualified impressively in fourth, maintained a consistent pace throughout the race, running close behind Verstappen.
- Mekies dismissed any notion of the podium being a gift, stating Hadjar's P4 qualifying and race pace, consistently within seconds of Verstappen, demonstrated his skill.
- Verstappen ultimately secured P2 after Lando Norris's late retirement, with Hadjar moving up to P3.
- Crucially, Mekies confirmed Hadjar was "allowed" to attack Verstappen if the opportunity arose, highlighting that such a move would not be "illegal" and referencing Racing Bulls' prior strong performance against Red Bull.
What's next
Hadjar's debut podium could be a significant step in his F1 career, potentially influencing future driver lineups within the Red Bull stable. His ability to match Verstappen's pace closely suggests he could be a formidable competitor in seasons to come.