Racing Bulls have shown strong pace all season but have yet to capitalise on it during the opening two races of 2025. Yuki Tsunoda scored all their points during the sprint race in China, while strategy and driver error have cost the team in the races in Australia and China. However, Isack Hadjar changed his luck in Japan, and the Red Bull management could not be happier.
The Frenchman was finally able to score his first points of the season and showed the true potential of the car. The VCARB 02 was quicker than the midfield competition as the team secured valuable points. Isack Hadjar’s performance also showed the Red Bull bosses what he can do, as they praised his performance at the Japanese GP.
Red Bull management heaps praise on Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar has had a difficult start to his F1 career. In Australia, the 20-year-old spun into the wall on the formation lap as track conditions were challenging, to say the least. In China, the team put both cars on a two-stop strategy, while everyone else only pitted once, preventing both cars from breaking into the top 10.
However, Hadjar performed well in Japan and scored his first points, finishing in P8. His drive didn’t go unnoticed by the top dogs at Red Bull, who were quick to praise the youngster.
Red Bull team advisor, Helmut Marko said: “I was impressed since the first time he jumped in the car, you know. His speed surprised all of us. But also the coolness which he showed and fortunately, he got points.
“I think he would have had points when the strategy would have been correct the last two races. But generally, we are really happy to have such a new talent in our team.”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner added: “I have to take my hat off to Isack Hadjar as well. A great performance today.”
Hadjar has finally shown the F1 world what he can do. On Saturday, he qualified an impressive P7, beating Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari. In the race, Hadjar finally succumbed to Hamilton’s pressure but held off a late charge from Alex Albon, showing good pace and tyre preservation.
The Frenchman was also quicker than his new teammate, Liam Lawson, who struggled to get to grips with the new car. It was a good weekend for the rookie, who will look to continue his momentum into the next race in Bahrain.
Hadjar thrilled over first points coming at the Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka is one of the F1 drivers’ favourite tracks. It has a challenging layout, a variety of high-speed corners, and is unique in its figure-of-eight design. The circuit’s first sector, with the following esses, is loved for the tough challenge it presents and its technical complexity. So scoring your first points at such a venue is a high point for Isack Hadjar.
After the race, the 20-year-old jokingly said, “I was just waiting for Suzuka, so yeah. It feels good finding first points, and honestly, I think it’s the best place to score your first ones. It’s my favourite track, so yeah. Definitely, it was on purpose, you know, in Melbourne, Shanghai, to wait for this one. That’s why I didn’t score points.”
🚨| Isack Hadjar jokes post race about his first points in F1:
“It feels good, finding first points and honestly I think it’s the best place to score your first ones. It’s my favourite track, so yeah. Definitely it was on purpose, you know, in Melbourne, Shanghai, to wait for… pic.twitter.com/L69v6RsmEZ
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) April 6, 2025
Hadjar will now look to continue his momentum into the remaining two races of the triple header, with the Bahrain GP up next, a race Hadjar won while competing in the F3 championship in 2022. Strategy will be more important in Sakhir, so he will hope his team doesn’t give him the wrong one.
