Red Bull second seat curse resolved – The penultimate running of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort was not one for the Formula One purist as once again the circuit made overtaking almost impossible without a considerable tyre offset. Fernando Alonso demonstrated this when stuck in a DRS he pitted for fresh rubber not only making up the time he lost changing tyres, but he caught and passed his rivals with a two second a lap overspeed, before a safety car ruined all his efforts.
Yet the race in the west of the Netherlands was far from a dull affair, as three safety cars along with its virtual brother were deployed throughout the 72 laps. The biggest smile came from the Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, who boldly predicted before the start of the season that he would stand on the podium in 2025.
His excellent defensive drive prevented both Russell and Leclerc for passing him despite several attacks, and what looked like an excellent P4 for most of the afternoon became a podium when Lando Norris McLaren failed him with a handful of laps remaining. The French Algerian rookie F1 driver has thrust himself front and centre for the role of Max Verstappen’s partner for 2025.
Yuki breaks his 7 race drought
It was a good day too for Max’s current team mate, Yuki Tsunoda who scored his first points since the opening race of the European racing season in Imola coming home in tenth position. The single point was doubled when Kimi Antonelli’s time penalties were applied to the classified standings, with the young Mercedes driver being relegated to 16th and outside the points.
Yet Tsunoda’s top ten was in some ways fortunate, given the slew of late safety cars and VSCs mixed the order of the midfield up, with the Sauber’s losing out. Prior to the weekend on the Dutch coast line, Yuki had been warned by Dr. Helmut Marko that time was short for him to impress upon the team, he was the right man to occupy the second Red Bull seat.
When asked about his Japanese drivers’ abysmal run of seven Grand Prix weekends without scoring, Dr. Helmut Marko was candid. “He has to get closer to Max and deliver that level of performance consistently. That’s why we’ve postponed the option dates further back, and now we’ll look at the upcoming races and then a decision will be made,” replied the 82 year old Austrian.
Tsunoda given until “the Mexican Grand Prix”
When pressed further on the timeframe, Marko nailed his colours to the mast unlike before. “I would say around Mexico,” said the Red Bull advisor which gave Yuki five race weekends to demonstrate his worth, and in Zandvoort he made baby steps towards that goal. Yet in qualifying Tsunoda failed to make it out of Q2 and his time for P12 was half a second slower than his team mates.
This kind of gap would be tolerated if it was by an F1 rookie, but in his fifth year of racing Tsunoda needs to be closer to Verstappen than that. Ironically as Yuki made his first steps on the ladder of improvement as outlined by Dr. Marko, it was his ex-team mate Isack Hadjar who was grabbing all the headlines. An unexpected podium for the French-Algerian rookie, appears to have put him in the frame for a promotion.
A TJ13 insider within the Red Bull team has confirmed the team have made the decision to release Tsunoda at the end of this year, but as Marko indicated the end of the road could come as early as the Mexican Grand Prix. There is no doubt now who will be joining Max Verstappen either this year or next as Isack Hadjar repaid the faith Dr. Marko has shown in him.
Russell critical of Leclerc’s “optimism”
Hadjar dominates Lawson
Yet in recent weeks t had been Liam Lawson grabbing the Racing Bulls headlines, with three points finishes in the previous four Grand Prix. Yet a deeper dive reveals the extent of Hadjar’s dominance over the New Zealander, finishing ahead of him in the Grand Prix 10-3 and in qualifying by the same measure.
Asked whether Hadjar was ready for the senior seat after his stunning drive to third place, Marko gave a pointed answer. “Isack is different,” he told Dutch media, stressing that he believes the Frenchman is mentally stronger than those who have previously failed to live alongside Verstappen.
Journalist Ronald Vording noted his exchange with Marko: “I said to him, ‘Max destroys everyone. How do you avoid promoting someone too early and tendering him next to Max?’ Marko replied, ‘Isack is different.’ He believes Hadjar can handle the pressure, not to beat Max, of course, but to survive as his teammate.”
Isack Hajdar is “different”
That endorsement, while hardly a signed contract, is one of the clearest signals yet that Hadjar is being lined up for promotion. So, at long last, Helmut Marko claims to have found the mythical creature Red Bull has been hunting for years: a teammate who can survive Max Verstappen without being immediately incinerated.
Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda — all tried, all ended up either demoted, discarded, or downgraded to “supporting actor.” But Hadjar, apparently, is “different.” One imagines Marko standing over the Red Bull junior programme like a medieval alchemist, declaring at last that he has struck gold.
Of course, every Red Bull hopeful is hailed as “different” at first. Gasly was supposed to be quick, Albon resilient, Perez experienced. The pattern is familiar: they arrive brimming with potential, they sit next to Verstappen, where they are systematically broken down. Hadjar may well have the mental strength Marko insists upon, but history suggests the senior Red Bull seat is less a promotion and more a rite of trial by fire.
Verstappen shrugs off rivals complaints
Racing Bulls refuse to let Hadjar go
Tsunoda’s recent poor run of form and precipitated a number of reports suggesting Hadjar was the man to take his place. Yet fully aware of the Lawson humiliation earlier this season, Racing Bull’s CEO is determined Hadjar stay with the team for the remainder of the season. “He should get to know the whole business by the end of 2026. Until then, we’ll just have to handcuff him!” said Peter Mayer.
It looks nailed on certain that Isack will be the next Red Bull junior promoted alongside Verstappen, but the danger for the team is the more Marko insists he is “different,” the more his story looks like a familiar prelude to the inevitable. Whether Isack can become the first home grown long-term team mate for Max since Daniel Ricciardo is yet to be seen but there’s always the risk he is simply the next entry on the list of Red Bull exiles.
Hadjar smashes his first F1 trophy
Cup drama in Zandvoort – Formula 1 has always delivered moments of triumph, heartbreak, and sometimes comedy. At the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, the latter came to the fore after Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar secured his first ever podium in Formula 1. The celebrations should have been remembered for the 20-year-old Frenchman’s achievement, but instead the spotlight turned to his trophy, which did not survive the traditional team photoshoot in the pit lane.
Hadjar, who has quickly become a fan favourite since making his debut, carefully lifted the cup to celebrate with his crew. Yet, despite the caution, the delicate construction of the trophy proved its undoing. As he raised it aloft, the cup separated at the narrow middle section, leaving him holding only the upper half of what should have been a lasting memento of his career milestone…. READ MORE
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
