Mekies: Hadjar is 'always prepared' for a seat at Red Bull.

Mekies: Hadjar is 'always prepared' for a seat at Red Bull.

      "Perhaps only Helmut Marko anticipated all of this."

      Isack Hadjar is capable of stepping up to Red Bull's senior team. This perspective comes from Laurent Mekies, the team leader at Racing Bulls, after the 20-year-old rookie admitted in Montreal that he feels "not ready" to partner with Max Verstappen. Hadjar has been the most impressive rookie of the 2025 season thus far, leading to speculation that Red Bull might replace Yuki Tsunoda sooner rather than later. "He’s having an outstanding season," Mekies commented to Sky Italia in Canada. "Maybe only Helmut Marko saw this coming."

      However, Mekies' superior - Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer - humorously suggested this week that he would "handcuff" Hadjar to the junior team so he can gain additional experience before facing Verstappen. "He’s in a critical growth phase right now," Mekies acknowledged. "But a driver is always ready to get into a faster car."

      If Hadjar is promoted early, it is clear that the next candidate for a Racing Bulls seat is Arvid Lindblad. The FIA approved Red Bull's request for an early super license for the British-Swedish driver this week, even though he is still 17. "Arvid is accumulating experience in Formula 2," Mekies stated, "but he still requires further development. We will assess the situation when the opportunity arises."

Other articles

Russell doesn't dismiss the possibility of a decline in F1 popularity. Russell doesn't dismiss the possibility of a decline in F1 popularity. Formula 1 | George Russell has cautioned that the sport must remain vigilant to prevent a decline in popularity. Alongside other prominent figures in the F1 scene, including (…) Briatore: Renault CEO's departure won't affect F1 team Briatore: Renault CEO's departure won't affect F1 team Formula 1 | Flavio Briatore asserts that Luca de Meo's unexpected resignation as CEO of Renault will have no impact on the Alpine F1 team whatsoever. Gasly remains reluctant to discuss the effects of Renault CEO's departure on F1. Gasly remains reluctant to discuss the effects of Renault CEO's departure on F1. Formula 1 | Pierre Gasly acknowledges that he is uncertain about how the upcoming departure of Renault CEO Luca de Meo next month will influence Alpine's Formula 1 team. Instability has (…) Coronel: Verstappen is 'definitely' remaining with Red Bull. Coronel: Verstappen is 'definitely' remaining with Red Bull. Formula 1 | A Formula 1 specialist who has a close relationship with Max Verstappen believes that the Dutch driver will certainly remain at Red Bull for the upcoming year. The four-time world (...) Vasseur acknowledges that the Ferrari contract has not been renewed yet. Vasseur acknowledges that the Ferrari contract has not been renewed yet. Formula 1 | Frederic Vasseur acknowledged that his contract with Ferrari, which is set to expire, has not yet been extended for 2026. The Frenchman criticized the reports that had been circulating in major (…) Sainz observing the recent 'chaos' at Ferrari from the outside Sainz observing the recent 'chaos' at Ferrari from the outside Formula 1 | For the first time in several years, Carlos Sainz is observing the recent turmoil at Ferrari from the sidelines. As another season begins in which (…)

Mekies: Hadjar is 'always prepared' for a seat at Red Bull.

Formula 1 | Isack Hadjar is capable of advancing to Red Bull's senior team. This is the perspective of Laurent Mekies, the team manager at Racing Bulls, following (…)