Despite finishing outside the points due to an engine problem, Isack Hadjar’s weekend in Singapore proved far more significant than the result suggests. The French driver once again showcased a key quality that Helmut Marko believes recalls Max Verstappen — his adaptability and ability to be quick straight away, even on circuits he has never raced before.
At the Singapore Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar missed out on a top-ten finish after suffering a technical issue with his power unit that cost him several tenths per lap. Yet, this very weekend reinforced Red Bull’s growing conviction: the young Frenchman could be the ideal candidate to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing in 2026.
It was no surprise that the Racing Bulls performed well around the tight and twisty Marina Bay circuit. The characteristics of the Asian track highlighted the strengths of the VCARB02 — especially its stability and traction in slow corners. These were qualities already seen in Baku two weeks earlier, where the Faenza-built car’s strong exits from corners allowed it to defend effectively, even along the long straights.
Seeing the VCARB02 immediately competitive among the midfield teams in Singapore did not raise eyebrows. What impressed the Red Bull management, however, was how quickly Isack Hadjar adapted to a demanding street circuit he had never tackled before.
In fact, several rookies performed well over the weekend, despite minor mistakes. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, for instance, came close to securing a front-row start but lost it with a small error in Q3. His potential, though, was evident, as was the impressive preparation of other debutants who managed to outperform their more experienced teammates. But in Isack Hadjar’s case, his learning curve and adaptability hold special significance for Red Bull — and especially for Helmut Marko, who sees in him some traits reminiscent of Max Verstappen.
Isack Hadjar started his Singapore weekend on the right foot, setting the second-fastest time on Friday. In the first free practice session, he had already broken into the top ten before improving further in FP2. His performance carried into qualifying, where he reached the top ten again, finishing just behind Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin — a car known to perform well on high-downforce tracks.
However, his race was compromised by the power unit issue, which, according to the team’s data, cost him about three to four tenths of a second per lap. The engine failed to deliver full power, cutting off electrical energy as if a limiter had been imposed. Over more than thirty laps in such conditions, the accumulated deficit dropped Hadjar just outside the points.
It was another unfortunate situation for the French rookie, who has already been affected by power unit problems several times this season. Earlier in the year, he missed free practice sessions for the same reason and even took a grid penalty at Monza after fitting a new engine.
Despite a result to forget, Red Bull’s belief in Isack Hadjar as their driver of the future remains strong. The team intends to promote him to the main squad as soon as possible. Expectations for the young Frenchman were already high before his Formula 1 debut, but his performances this season — even considering that the Racing Bulls car has been quite competitive — have only strengthened Red Bull’s confidence in his potential.
According to Helmut Marko, the Singapore weekend confirmed a pattern: wherever Isack Hadjar goes, even on completely new tracks like Marina Bay, he is able to be immediately fast. “Isack was really impressive,” said the Red Bull advisor. “After just two laps he was already in P1. He quickly positioned himself among the fastest cars and delivered a great lap in FP2. He’s progressing exactly as we expected.”
For Marko, the first few laps a driver completes on a new circuit are often the most revealing — they show how instinctively adaptable a driver truly is. In Hadjar’s case, that natural ability is evident, as shown by his smooth transition from Formula 2 to Formula 1. It’s a quality that Marko, who often relies on gut instinct when evaluating young drivers, deeply values — sometimes even more than raw speed itself. In fact, even before the start of the season, he had already praised the Frenchman’s calm but confident driving style.
At Singapore, Marko admitted that Isack Hadjar’s approach reminds him, at least in part, of Max Verstappen — though he was quick to point out that the reigning four-time World Champion still operates at another level entirely. “It’s another advantage he has, and he’s shown it on almost every circuit he’s been to. He doesn’t need any warm-up or prior experience to be fast. In that sense, he’s similar to Max,” explained the Red Bull consultant.
With his impressive adaptability and rapid learning, Isack Hadjar remains in pole position for a potential promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2026. Still, Helmut Marko insists there’s no rush. The team will continue to monitor his growth, with the Mexican Grand Prix at the end of October possibly serving as the next key milestone in evaluating his progress.
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