Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer has reaffirmed his wish for Isack Hadjar to remain with the team amid continuing talk of a move to sister Formula 1 squad Red Bull.
The French youngster has stunned in his debut season with the Faenza-based outfit, scoring 22 points to leave him the second-highest placed rookie in the standings.
Hadjar’s performances have been hugely impressive, coinciding with the struggles faced by Yuki Tsunoda, who swapped the team for Red Bull after two races.
The Japanese driver has 12 points less, and his difficulties in the RB21 have naturally led to rumours about a potential promotion for the 2024 Formula 2 runner-up.
So much so that Bayer joked previously that he wanted to keep Hadjar “in handcuffs”, such was his desire to keep him where he is.
The Austrian, speaking to PlanetF1, clarified the remark, but indicated that he wants Hadjar to be afforded time to continue his education with Racing Bulls.
“I was joking, honestly!” he said, adding: “We have strong alignment internally that we need to go through this year calmly, with everyone focusing on their jobs.
“I’m sure that, post-summer break, discussions will start about 2026, but honestly, I dare to say that in ’25, we all want to keep it calm and, talking about Isack, give him the chance to grow, to learn. Honestly, he is incredible.”
F1 ‘will see great things’ from Hadjar
Bayer was full of praise for Hadjar and cited a particular situation at the Austrian Grand Prix weekend which gave him an idea of the talent level he possesses.
“I was listening to the radio when he was coming in, the umbilical in,” he recounted.
“His race engineer [Pierre Hamelin] said: ‘Look, Isack, you’re losing about half a tenth in Turn 6’.
“Isack said to him: ‘Can you be more precise?’
“Pierre said, ‘Yes, I can. You’re losing 0.035 of a second in that turn.’ And Isaac said: ‘OK, then I know what to do.’ [And he did it].”
Bayer believes that Hadjar is capable of achieving a great deal, and again reiterated the belief that he should continue these early steps with the team.
“For me, it’s as simple as that – his capacity of driving,” he continued. “Honestly, I think we’ll see great things from him.
“His mind is just working, asking, growing. Isack is a great kid. He’s great, but he needs this year with us, and everybody agrees that’s what we should do.”
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