F1 News
Red Bull junior 'wouldn't be satisfied to remain reserve driver' in '25
The final decision on who could be on the Formula One grid in the 2025 season currently is in the hands of the Red Bull family. The team's junior driver, Isack Hadjar, believes that if the team were to give a chance to another driver, he is the next one to earn promotion.
While on paper, there a single seat available at Visa Cash App RB for the upcoming season that is yet to announced, that could suddenly become two. With another evaluation coming up after the end of the season, if Red Bull were to let Sergio Perez go and promote one of the drivers previously thrown in the hat by top advisor Helmut Marko, Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, another space would open up.
Even as for now, Perez has a contract signed, Formula 2 driver Isack Hadjar believes he has a chance at getting a seat in F1. "I would say that my chances are there, at least. Obviously, it doesn't depend on me. There are a lot of things happening at VCARB and Red Bull, anything can happen," the Frenchman began to Motorsport.com.
"And obviously, I'm next on the list. It's just a fact," Hadjar then declared. "I don't know what decisions they're going to make, but in any case, I'm here and I'm trying to be ready for next year no matter what."
He then also underlined that he would not be happy with being a reserve driver only in F1 in the upcoming season. "I would not be satisfied, obviously, because you want to drive. But if that is what has to be done, then I will do it and I will think about the future."
Hadjar on Colapinto rumours
Another driver rumoured to be in the conversation is Franco Colapinto. The young Argentinian replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams following the Dutch Grand Prix, and since impressed many. Colapinto was behind Hadjar in Formula 2, but similarly to Lawson in the 2023 (when he had replace Daniel Ricciardo as the Australian driver got injured in Zandvoort), he got the chance to already show his skills in F1.
"Yes, they are looking for a fast driver, and he [Colapinto] has proven that he is. So, yes, obviously, I have been part of a program for three years, I am second in F2, I am the team's reserve, so... that's how it is," Hadjar reflected.
The current F2 season will conclude in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Currently, Hadjar is in second place in the drivers' standings competing for Campos Racing. The Frenchman has to overcome a 4.5-point gap to be crowned champion against Gabriel Bortoleto, who has already been announced to drive for Sauber (soon-to-become Audi) next year.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!