The Dutch Grand Prix delivered one of the season’s biggest surprises as 20-year-old French rookie Isack Hadjar secured a sensational third place at Zandvoort, stepping onto the Formula 1 podium for the very first time. With this result, the Racing Bulls driver not only achieved the childhood dream he had long pursued but also emerged as one of the brightest talking points in the paddock. “It feels a bit unreal.
That has always been my goal since I was a kid,” Hadjar said, visibly thrilled after the race. Currently racing for Red Bull’s sister team, Hadjar is quickly becoming a hot topic within the organization. Speculation is mounting that the coveted seat alongside three-time world champion Max Verstappen could become available in 2026, with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda failing to fully convince the team.
Given his talent, youth, and close ties to the Red Bull setup, Hadjar now looks like the most logical successor. Hadjar himself joked about the prospect of partnering Verstappen: “I don’t want to drive alongside Max. I don’t like it,” he said with a smile and a wink. Yet the rumors of his promotion to the main Red Bull team are already gaining traction. Verstappen, for his part, offered generous praise for the rookie’s performance: “Frankly, it’s not easy as a rookie with these cars.
He absolutely deserves to be on the podium here. Isack gets the job done, and that’s fantastic to see.” And when asked about sharing the garage with Hadjar in the future, the Dutchman quipped: “Horrible… I’m just joking!” Hadjar’s podium finish at Zandvoort confirms that he is not merely a promising youngster but a genuine contender at the highest level of Formula 1. His breakthrough performance sent a clear message: the new generation is ready to challenge the giants.
