Helmut Marko names two Red Bull junior drivers alongside Liam Lawson with ‘Formula 1 quality’

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull Racing arguably have the most extensive driver academy in the Formula 1 paddock and they may have to start seriously considering promoting some of those talents sooner rather than later.

It’s impossible to watch a Formula 2 or Formula 3 race without seeing several cars using the iconic Red Bull livery and they’re typically racing near the front of the pack.

With the Formula 1 summer break just two races away, there are a pair of drivers attached to the Red Bull program who are in danger of losing their seats.

Sergio Perez is fighting for his Red Bull future after a series of recent poor performances.

Daniel Ricciardo’s position at RB isn’t much safer with it sounding like Helmut Marko wants Red Bull’s sister team to return to its original purpose of developing young talent.

Marko was speaking to Speedweek about the future of Red Bull’s line-ups and has high hopes for a pair of drivers.

The name on everybody’s lips right now is Liam Lawson after his successful stint with AlphaTauri last year deputising for Ricciardo.

In his five races, he managed to score points and outqualify a dominant Max Verstappen in Singapore.

It’s expected that Lawson will be on the grid and potentially as soon as the Dutch Grand Prix.

However, Marko also believes that current Formula 2 championship leader Isack Hadjar and Formula 3 starlet Arvid Lindblad both have ‘Formula 1 quality’.

They look set to be the next two drivers that Red Bull are pinning their hopes on to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

Helmut Marko says Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad have ‘Formula 1 quality’

Talking about the recent successes of Red Bull’s junior program, Marko said: “Arvid Lindblad shone in Formula 3. He was a rookie who went straight from Formula 4 to Formula 3 and won both races [in Silverstone].

“He is only 16 years old and we are delighted that he can now drive in Formula 1 again at 17.

“But we are staying calm and continuing to produce good results with our juniors, who are now being given more priority and are allowed to keep pushing in the Formula 1 car. Isack [Hadjar] did well in his most recent test.

“He never had the soft tyres on his car, but he showed strong performances and his comments were good too. It is also no secret that Liam Lawson will be doing a day of filming for us.

“Isack and Arvid have great qualities, they are super fast and have Formula 1 quality.

“And we must not forget Ayumu Iwasa, who is currently in second place in the Super Formula in Japan.”

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

Isack Hadjar could force himself into RB’s thinking in 2025 with his F2 performances

While it’s too soon to expect Lindblad to be in the conversation for a Formula 1 seat given that he’s the youngest driver racing in the F3 field this year.

However, it would be a surprise if he wasn’t already preparing for a season in Formula 2 next year and he could earn that promotion as a champion if he can close the six-point gap to current leader and Alpine junior Gabriele Mini.

For Isack Hadjar, the chance of racing in Formula 1 next year looks more and more likely.

He currently has a 16-point lead over Paul Aron with 12 races to go and has had his fair share of bad luck along the way that has denied him an even bigger advantage.

If he does win the championship, he’ll be barred from racing in F2 again meaning Red Bull will need to find a seat for him elsewhere.

If both Ricciardo and Perez are moved on, then Hadjar could be the driver promoted into an RB seat in 2025.

It would make him potentially the third French grid on the grid so long as Esteban Ocon’s expected move to Haas is completed.