Marko responds: will Hadjar become Verstappen's teammate after show in Zandvoort?
Co-author:Tobia Elia
Marnik Kok caught the Formula 1 world around twenty years ago. A deep passion for motorsport, Ferrari, and a background in journalism led him to contribute to various (international) F1 platforms. Since 2020, Marnik has been active as an editor and journalist in the pinnacle of motorsport for several media outlets, including De Telegraaf. As of 2025, he brings that experience to GPblog as a seasoned editor.
During his active years as a journalist — now working as a freelancer — Marnik attended numerous events, with the Dutch Grand Prix standing out as one of the highlights. In addition to his work at GPblog, Marnik is also active in the communications sector at a major national provider and steps in wherever needed. Sitting still is not an option — especially not in motorsport!
Helmut Marko is once again thrilled that Max Verstappen was able to make the most of a Grand Prix, especially in front of his home crowd in Zandvoort. At the same time, he sees a bright future for Isack Hadjar—but will it be with Red Bull?
The Dutch Grand Prix ended with two Red Bull-affiliated drivers on the podium. Max Verstappen finished second behind Oscar Piastri, while, to everyone’s surprise, Isack Hadjar claimed third for the Racing Bulls.
Hadjar, however, earned his result through his own efforts. Already on Saturday, he qualified fourth and held that position admirably. After Lando Norris retired and a safety car period shuffled the order, he managed to keep P3—a result that delighted both the team and Red Bull executive Helmut Marko.
"Isack is very good, very good," he tells GPblog exclusively. He has every confidence that he can become a great driver, maybe even on the level of Verstappen: ''You see in the future a very good and big driver.''
Hadjar took his first podium in Formula 1 at Zandvoort
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Hadjar and Verstappen? That remains a mystery
Marko is more than pleased with Verstappen's result: ''We had the maximium, but we've also been lucky,'' continues the Austrian, who is looking back with a slight smile on Verstappen's switch to the soft tires: ''The tyres didnt work out. McLaren just was faster.''
With the praising words for Hadjar, who finished well ahead of Verstappen's teammate Yuki Tsunoda, this site asked whether the podium has increased his chances of a seat in the top team. On that, Marko remains silent. "No, we have our own plans," is all he wants to say about that.
Hadjar currently ranks tenth in the drivers' standings with 37 points, while Yuki Tsunoda is nineteenth with just twelve points. Teammate Verstappen has scored 205 this year.
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