Helmut Marko has heaped praise on rookie Isack Hadjar, calling him “the revelation” of the 2025 Formula 1 season’s early stages as the Racing Bulls driver continues to exceed expectations in his debut campaign.
The young Frenchman, who graduated from Formula 2 after a solid 2024 showing, was seen by many as a gamble when promoted to a full-time seat with Racing Bulls.
However, Marko believes the risk is paying off handsomely.
“[Hadjar is] the revelation of this first phase of the World Championship,” Marko said in his Speedweek column.
“The young Parisian didn’t know most of the circuits, but was always fast right from the start and made few mistakes, apart from the mistake in Australia.”
Hadjar’s ability to adapt quickly to unfamiliar tracks has stood out in a crowded rookie field, and Marko was particularly impressed with his composure in races and management of the car.
“Isack achieves in the races what many Formula 1 rookies struggle with – he consistently posts good lap times while managing his tyres very well.
“He delivers all of this relatively calmly.”
With Racing Bulls looking to solidify its position in the constructors’ standings, Hadjar’s early season form has been critical.
He’s already scored points in two of the opening five races, with a highest finish of eighth in Japan, and is outperforming more experienced competitors.
Tsunoda has made ‘a huge step forward’ for Red Bull
While the spotlight has turned to Hadjar, Marko also acknowledged the efforts of Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, who is still adjusting to his new role but has shown promising flashes amidst a mixed start to the 2025 season.
“His speed is right, as is his approach,” Marko said.
“When things get serious in qualifying, he loses time to Max, but the normal margin is two or three tenths. Tsunoda goes his own way.”
Despite a first-lap tangle with Pierre Gasly in Saudi Arabia, Marko remains optimistic.
“A crash like the one with Gasly… that can happen. From our calculations he could have finished sixth. And that’s a huge step forward, because before him, our second car rarely came close to the top 10.”
Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull marked a significant step up – one many doubted he’d ever reach.
But as Marko suggests, the Japanese driver is starting to justify that decision.
If he can cut out the scrappy mistakes, Red Bull might finally have a consistent second driver to back Verstappen, rather than one they’re constantly looking to replace.
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