Helmut Marko and Isack Hadjar - Photo: Race Pictures

Tsunoda in jeopardy? Marko issues timeline for 'good' Hadjar 'move'

17:55, 29 Sep

Updated: 18:53, 29 Sep

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byNorberto Mujica

Helmut Marko has spoken regarding the right time for the decision to promote Isack Hadjar to Red Bull Racing.

You have to use a lot of your brain for the recovery system. So I think it’s a good move, it’s a good time for a move.

- Helmut Marko

Yuki Tsunoda, after showing signs of improvement since Belgium, was finally able to drive his RB21 to a strong P6 finish in Azerbaijan. Nevertheless Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson beat him to the line in P5.

Tsunoda's points haul for Red Bull has also been anything but extraordinary with the Japanese driver claiming only 17 points inthe 15 Grands Prix he's contested so far for the Austrians. Lawson in his Racing Bulls car currently sits on 30 points with a season highest finish in P5, one place better than Tsunoda's P6.

Hadjar, however, stands as the leader among the trio with a tally of 39 points and his podium at the Dutch Grand Prix underscores the quality of his rookie season so far.

Yuki Tsunoda in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures

When speaking about the 2026 regulations and the reset they will signify in terms of driving, Marko suggested precisely that moment as the oportune moment to make a 'good move.'

“Of course, these ground effect cars are very special and, through the regulations, it will be a completely new sort of driving,” Marko said.

“You have to use a lot of your brain for the recovery system. So I think it’s a good move, it’s a good time for a move.”

Isack Hadjar during the Italian Grand Prix. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Marko: Hadjar needs to keep doing what he's doing

However, there's still ways to go for Hadjar, Marko believes, so the French Algerian youngster better sustain his current level of performance

“He’s still learning,” Marko said.

“He has a very good relationship with his engineer, he’s also French, so it helps, but he just has to keep going and developing like he is.”

Red Bull are still deciding on their driver line up

Only Max Verstappen stands as the Red Bull driver whose future is already known. Although Marko said to media Hadjar was already sure to get a seat for 2026, GPblog understands that the Austrian team are yet to clarify who is racing where.

It is also of this website's understanding that Red Bull Alex Dunne, the McLaren junior driver currently racing in F2, on their radar. Furthermore, Arvid Lindblad is also an option for a promotion to Formula One.

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