Isack Hadjar gives four-word answer on whether he’s ready for Red Bull promotion after maiden F1 podium

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Isack Hadjar produced an incredible weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix as he claimed his maiden podium in Formula 1.

The Racing Bulls driver overcame power unit problems on Friday to qualify an incredible fourth. F1 fans felt Hadjar was ‘magnificent’ on Saturday as he shared the second row of the grid with Max Verstappen, behind the two McLarens.

The Frenchman held his own around the twisty Zandvoort layout as he fended off attacks from Charles Leclerc and George Russell. P4 looked a certainty for Hadjar, until he was given a golden opportunity after Lando Norris suffered an engine failure in the closing stages.

It elevated the 20-year-old onto the podium behind Piastri and Verstappen. Hadjar held on after the safety car restart to secure his maiden F1 podium, becoming the fifth-youngest driver in history to finish in the top three.

Red Bull watched on keenly as they got two of their drivers onto the podium for the first time since Miami last season. The Dutch Grand Prix was the perfect weekend for Hadjar, especially with the rumours surrounding his future.

Isack Hadjar claims he is ‘ready for anything’ when asked about Red Bull rumours after first F1 podium

Hadjar is the ‘frontrunner’ to drive for Red Bull in 2026, with Yuki Tsunoda out of contract at the end of the year. The Frenchman and Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson’s deals also expire in 2025, but the former is in line for a promotion.

Red Bull have ‘confirmed internally’ that Tsunoda will leave the team at the end of the season. The Japanese driver, like many of his predecessors, has struggled to adapt to the car and score regular points.

It was reported that Hadjar was ‘highly resistant’ to a Red Bull move in 2026, given the difficulties the drivers in the second car have faced. However, Hadjar’s management would say ‘yes’ to a promotion if it was afforded to the Frenchman.

His podium at Zandvoort will certainly increase his chances of racing for the team next year. When he was asked about joining Red Bull in 2026, he gave a defiant response.

He said via Sky Sports (31/08, 4:50 pm) as he celebrated in the paddock with his team: “I’m ready for anything.”

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

Helmut Marko assesses ‘outstanding’ Isack Hadjar after his first F1 podium

Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko has played a key role in getting the 20-year-old onto the grid in 2025. Speaking after the race via the same broadcaster, the Austrian heaped praise onto Hadjar for his incredible performance.

“Hadjar had a fight with Leclerc, had a fight with Russell, he stayed calm, didn’t do anything wrong. And even a fourth place would have been a big achievement, but now a podium is, of course, even more of a surprise and he deserves it,” he said.

“We chose him, so we knew he was something special. I called him the little Prost, the new one, in the early stages. People were laughing, like often, but now he delivered.

“What is also impressive, when he comes to a new circuit, after three laps, he is competitive. Oh yes, on Friday, all the engine-side problems, he wasn’t affected by that. He said: ‘I know I have the speed and I will qualify in the top five’. He promised that, so the self-confidence is also something outstanding.”

Asked about the rumours linking him to Red Bull next year, Marko replied: “We will decide that later.”