Helmut Marko spoke about the Frenchman, Isack Hadjar, whom he believes is ready to start in Formula 1.
Within the two Red Bull teams, only one seat seems absolutely certain not to move in 2025: that of Max Verstappen. The other three, starting with that of his teammate, Sergio Pérez, are not yet assured.
The Mexican, in great difficulty recently, seems more than ever in the hot seat despite a contract running until the end of 2026, signed earlier this year.
“We are evaluating everything at the moment”affirmed Helmut Marko to the Austrian media, Kleine Zeitung. “Decisions will only be made after Abu Dhabi.”
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A ride “determinant” to Abu Dhabi for Hadjar
Marko, Red Bull advisor, does not hide his desire to align with the current trend in F1, namely promoting young drivers. Liam Lawson is thus judged against Yuki Tsunoda at the end of the season. The winner of this duel could well be the replacement for Sergio Pérez.
If this were the case, this could therefore allow the young Frenchman, Isack Hadjar, to make his F1 debut in Red Bull's junior team, VCARB. Hadjar, currently second in Formula 2, will have the opportunity to get into an F1 car again in Abu Dhabi for a very important run for his future.
“This will then be decisive for its future”, Marko says. “Then there is also a test on Tuesday after Abu Dhabi, where some drivers who come into consideration for next year are lined up.”
Asked if Isack Hadjar is ready to enter F1, the Austrian responded positively, while comparing his career to that of Franco Colapinto.
“Yes, absolutely,” he says. “He was faster than Franco Colapinto in all junior categories.”
The Frenchman will therefore experience an end to the season under high pressure with, on the one hand, the objective of winning the F2 title, where he is 4.5 points behind leader Gabriel Bortoleto, but also on the other, the desire to win a starting wheel in F1 for 2025.
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