Isack Hadjar produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 Formula 1 season by finishing third at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday. It’s the first podium of his career.

The Racing Bulls driver becomes the fifth-youngest podium-finisher in the history of the sport. While there was an element of fortune, it certainly wasn’t a fluke.

Hadjar was perhaps the standout driver of qualifying as he snatched fourth on the grid, and he held onto that position under pressure from Charles Leclerc, who ultimately crashed out, and latterly George Russell.

Lando Norris’ late failure then promoted him into the top three, and he held his nerve for the last few laps to take his rookie season to another level. Links with Red Bull are now bound to intensify.

A recent report revealed that Hadjar is ‘highly resistant’ to joining Red Bull in 2026. He’s seen former teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggle enormously this season, just as Liam Lawson, Sergio Perez, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly did before him.

Hadjar’s preference would be to stay at Racing Bulls for another year so he can continue his development. That way, by the time he makes the step up, he’ll know he’s ready.

What a moment for Isak Hadjar and Racing Bulls. If he wasn’t a shoe-in to be Max Verstappen’s teammate next year he must be now?

— Nate Saunders (@natesaundersF1) August 31, 2025

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But given that Red Bull manage his career, he could be ‘compelled’ to become Verstappen’s teammate. And writing on X immediately after the race, ESPN journalist Nate Saunders suggested he was now a ‘shoo-in’ for the seat.

Tsunoda, who is out of contract at the end of the season, did at least end his scoreless run with a P10 finish. However, Hadjar is now 27 points and eight places above him in the standings.

Jacques Villeneuve tells Yuki Tsunoda he’s already peaked at Red Bull

In the hands of most drivers, the Racing Bulls car may be superior to the Red Bull. The RB21 perhaps has a higher peak, but it seems extremely difficult to unlock, whereas the VCARB02 is known to be relatively compliant.

Fernando Alonso thinks Verstappen could win the title for Racing Bulls, and while that’s an extreme take, it highlights Red Bull’s dilemma. They must stop Hadjar from continuing the cycle.

Still, Hadjar has arguably been the leader in F1’s exciting rookie class this year. And it would mark a dramatic cultural shift at Red Bull if they didn’t reward those results immediately.

Jacques Villeneuve believes Tsunoda has already reached his peak in F1, so he clearly doesn’t expect a meaningful breakthrough from the Japanese driver. Perhaps Hadjar has a higher ceiling long-term.