F2 star Hadjar on F1 entry prospects in 2025: “My chances remain”
Red Bull’s roster uncertainty gives Isack Hadjar hope of a Formula 1 entry in 2025.
As Red Bull continues to evaluate its Formula 1 driver roster, Isack Hadjar, who is competing for the Formula 2 championship, is following developments closely.
Sergio Perez is officially on the Red Bull roster for 2025, but his poor performance has caused the team to look for other ways for the future. Among the options being considered for the main team are said to be Liam Lawson, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo at RB, and Williams rookie Franco Colapinto, who has impressed with his performance.
Hadjar, the lead driver in the Red Bull young driver programme, is hoping this process will end positively for him as he challenges for the F2 title.
“At least I can say that my chances are still there,” the French driver told Motorsport.com/Autosport.
“Of course, it’s not entirely up to me.”
“There’s a lot going on at RB and Red Bull, anything can happen. And of course I’m next, that’s a fact.”
“I don’t know what decisions they’re going to make, but I hope they’re considering it. I’m trying to be ready for next year anyway,” he said.
Despite their inexperience, the impressive performances of Colapinto and Oliver Bearman in F1 could strengthen Hadjar’s hand, as Hadjar stands out as a name who has left these two drivers behind in the lower series.
The 20-year-old pilot added the following in his statement on the subject: “This shows that our generation is good,”
“For a long time we thought experience was the most important thing, we said, ‘You can’t beat someone who has spent 10 years in F1’. But actually you can. If you’re fast, you’re fast. They’ve done a good job of showing what F2 has to offer in the transition to F1.”
Although Hadjar says he has gained experience thanks to Red Bull’s highly realistic simulator, he admits he cannot perform at the same level due to his limited F1 testing experience.
“I think if I had to jump into an F1 car right now it would be a lot harder than it would be for Ollie or Liam.”
“My experience so far in F1 is three practice sessions and the training plans are always quite limited.
Colapinto has already scored twice for Williams and, while Hadjar admits that Red Bull “were looking for a fast driver and he has proven to be fast”, he points out: “I have been with the Red Bull programme for three years, I am second in F2, I am the reserve for the team.”
Hadjar now has two races to go to secure the 2024 F2 title and, crucially, convince Red Bull that he deserves the 2025 seat.
Hadjar has four wins so far this year after a lacklustre first season with Hitech, which saw him finish 14th in the standings.
Hadjar, on the other hand, is not keen on the idea of spending a year as a reserve driver for Red Bull’s team if he fails to secure a seat in F1.
“I wouldn’t want to be in that situation, to be honest, because you want to drive.”
“But if this is what needs to happen, I will do it and move forward,” he added.
