Helmut Marko says Isack Hadjar did something at the Singapore Grand Prix that reminded him of Max Verstappen

Follow us on Google Discover

Isack Hadjar appears increasingly likely to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026. Helmut Marko has once again made clear just how highly he rates the Racing Bulls driver.

Hadjar enters the Singapore Grand Prix weekend ninth in the championship. That would be one of the team’s best-ever showings in the drivers’ standings, matching Pierre Gasly’s 2021 performance.

A recent report claimed Red Bull have decided not to keep Yuki Tsunoda for next year. He’s battling Liam Lawson for a seat at Racing Bulls, likely next to Arvid Lindblad.

Red Bull have been linked with Alex Albon this week but that wildcard move doesn’t appear realistic at this stage. Thus, Hadjar could have a clear path to a 2026 promotion.

Helmut Marko marvels at Isack Hadjar’s adaptability amid Red Bull links

Marko is making the driver decisions at Red Bull now that Christian Horner has been removed. Laurent Mekies will have an influence on the process, but not the final say.

And it’s clear that the Austrian sees Hadjar as a truly special talent. He was an eye-catching P2 in second practice at Marina Bay, just over a tenth behind Oscar Piastri’s benchmark.

Hadjar has never raced in Singapore before, so his Friday pace vastly exceeded expectations as he competed with the front-runners. Marko told Motorsport’s Ronald Vording that this was a testament to his adaptability.

Much like Verstappen, he’s ‘always fast on the first lap’. Red Bull blamed Lawson’s lack of experience for his poor results at the start of the year, but may not have that issue with Hadjar.

“Isack Hadjar once again made headlines by taking P2,” said Vording. “That put a smile on Marko’s face.

“I asked Marko about that because I know that’s the aspect that impresses him the most. It doesn’t matter which circuit, Hadjar comes as a rookie and is immediately up to top speed.

“Marko said today, ‘Yes, that’s something that reminds me a little bit of Max Verstappen. Max is always fast on the first lap at a new circuit’.

“He said, ‘Hadjar also has that quality – when we take him somewhere, even if he’s never been in real life, he always picks up the speed quite quickly’.

“That is exactly what Marko would like to see from him, looking towards 2026, because he is still the man in pole position for that Red Bull seat.”

Isack Hadjar has made clear whether he’ll accept being Max Verstappen’s number two

Verstappen has been impressed by Hadjar this season, calling him ‘very focused’. He also says that the Frenchman ‘finds time to enjoy life’, which is important for a rookie.

Hadjar’s rookie season is conjuring some memories of Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel in what was then the Toro Rosso team. While he hasn’t won a race like Vettel, he has already bagged a podium.

It’s still too early to say whether he could challenge Verstappen if he stepped up. At this stage, Red Bull would be satisfied with a driver who could consistently be within a few tenths.

Hadjar has indicated he will accept team orders, aware that Verstappen will almost certainly remain the number one driver. But with the Dutchman’s future uncertain, that’s a mantle he may hope to acquire eventually.