Max Verstappen reacts to Isack Hadjar’s Dutch Grand Prix podium amid Red Bull promotion rumours

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Although Oscar Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix, it was Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar who stole the headlines with the greatest moment of his burgeoning Formula 1 career.

The Dutch Grand Prix witnessed history as Isack Hadjar became the first Racing Bulls driver to finish on the podium since Pierre Gasly at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Hadjar was superb in qualifying, beating George Russell and both Ferrari drivers to start on the second row alongside Max Verstappen.

Verstappen once again proved he’s the best starter on the grid by finding a way past Lando Norris going into the first corner.

David Coulthard was amazed by Verstappen’s save as he nearly lost it heading into the banked turn three, but Norris eventually found his way back past the Red Bull driver, leaving Hadjar chasing the four-time world champion.

Hadjar admitted after the race that he expected Charles Leclerc and those behind him to find a way past him once the Grand Prix started, but after the first round of pit stops, it became clear he had what it took to hold onto fourth.

Norris’ mechanical failure was devastating for him and might prove pivotal in the drivers’ championship. But it also created one of the best moments of the season as the exceptional Frenchman became the fifth-youngest podium finisher in Formula 1 history.

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

Max Verstappen reacts to Isack Hadjar’s first F1 podium at the Dutch Grand Prix

Verstappen was reviewing his home race on the Talking Bull Podcast and said: “Yeah, I mean to be honest with you, I tried on lap one, and then I think I quickly realised that our fight was not with McLaren. I just tried to do my own race.

“I was secretly hoping for a little bit more, but unfortunately, there was not much more in it, so we just maximised the result today.

“We got a bit lucky, of course, at the same time, but I’ll take P2 here at home as well with the fans, I think it was a good result for us.”

Verstappen was then asked about Hadjar’s P3 and continued: “Yeah, a fantastic result for him.

“The whole weekend I think he was driving really strongly, so yeah, I think he can be very proud of that result and enjoy it.”

Posting on Instagram after Sunday’s Grand Prix, Verstappen said: “Thank you, Zandvoort. The whole weekend has been incredible with so much orange support, thank you all.

“Isack Hadjar, congrats on your first F1 podium.”

In the post-race press conference, Verstappen and Hadjar were asked about the prospect of being teammates and the four-time world champion joked: “Terrible. I’m joking!”

Hadjar replied: “I don’t want to be next to Max. I don’t like him. That’s it.”

The Frenchman then went on to say: “Max is someone I’ve been looking up to since my junior days.

“The last five years have been outstanding. To share the track, spend most of the race behind him, being within two or three seconds the whole time, and share my first podium with him on his home soil as well, I think it’s pretty cool.”

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Isack Hadjar reacts when asked if he could be Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate in 2026

Hadjar’s contract expires at the end of the season, but Red Bull are yet to decide who will be Verstappen’s teammate next year and the make-up of the Racing Bulls team.

Yuki Tsunoda finally returned to the points at Zandvoort, but his P9 finish pales in comparison to what Hadjar achieved.

Hadjar has been suggested as the frontrunner to replace Tsunoda if Red Bull decide to make a change next year.

The Japanese driver has nine Grand Prix weekends left to prove he’s the right partner for Verstappen going forward.

However, Hadjar quickly responded when asked about a Red Bull promotion after the race, and it sounded like it would no longer be a move that worries him, despite the previous track record of those before him who have gone up against Verstappen.