Red Bull’s technical director Laurent Mekies praised French rookie Isack Hadjar after the young driver secured a second‑place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday. Speaking to the media, Mekies described Hadjar’s performance as “outstanding”, noting that the Frenchman had returned to the grid after missing the first two rounds of the 2024 season due to a back injury.
Hadjar, who drives for the Red Bull junior team, started the race from eighth on the grid and quickly moved up the order through a combination of aggressive tyre management and a daring overtaking maneuver on the opening lap. He capitalised on a safety‑car period midway through the race to pit for fresh soft tyres, a strategy that paid off as the field shuffled and he emerged ahead of several seasoned rivals. The Frenchman held off a late charge from the Mercedes driver to clinch the podium, finishing just 1.4 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen.
Mekies highlighted that Hadjar’s ability to adapt to the demanding Baku street circuit – with its long straight, tight corners and high‑speed sections – was a testament to his technical skill and mental resilience. “He showed a level of maturity and race‑craft that is rare for a driver at this stage of his career,” Mekies said. The comments came as Red Bull’s senior management continues to evaluate the depth of its driver academy, with Hadjar now firmly in contention for a full‑time seat for the 2025 season.
For Indian fans, the race was broadcast live on FanCode with commentary in both English and Hindi, and the podium ceremony aired at 19:30 IST. Hadjar’s strong showing adds another storyline for the Indian audience, as the nation’s growing interest in Formula 1 looks to rally behind emerging talent from Europe. The result also boosts Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship lead, extending their advantage over Mercedes and Ferrari.
Hadjar’s podium marks his first top‑three finish since his debut in 2023, and the French driver will now head to the next round in Monaco, where the tight street circuit could further test his qualifying pace. With the season still early, Mekies’ endorsement suggests that Red Bull sees Hadjar as a long‑term asset in their driver pipeline.
Source: Formula1.com
