Isack Hadjar starred both on track and over team radio at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing third behind Max Verstappen and helping Red Bull secure its first double podium since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix. Returning after missing three races through injury, the Frenchman produced an impressive drive in Baku – and some of his unusually diplomatic messages concerning his four-time World Champion team-mate quickly became a talking point online.
Isack Hadjar was particularly impressive during the first half of the race, before two Safety Car periods transformed the competitive picture. His overtakes rapidly carried him into podium contention, but just as entertaining was the way he handled his increasingly delicate battle with Max Verstappen inside Red Bull.
Isack Hadjar finds himself directly behind Max Verstappen
Once the two Red Bulls were running together behind Oscar Piastri in third and fourth, Isack Hadjar was initially ahead of Max Verstappen. The French driver was asked to allow his team-mate through and duly complied.
As the laps passed, however, it became increasingly apparent that Isack Hadjar was not significantly slower than Max Verstappen. If anything, his soft tyres appeared to be performing better than the medium compound fitted to the Dutchman’s RB22.
That left Red Bull in an unusual situation, with Max Verstappen effectively beginning to hold up his team-mate as the pair chased Oscar Piastri.
Within Red Bull, Max Verstappen’s status as the central figure in the team is hardly a secret. An aggressive attack carrying the risk of contact was therefore not an especially attractive option for Isack Hadjar, particularly on a chaotic afternoon in Baku.
‘I’m happy to stay here’: Hadjar plays it safe behind Verstappen
Isack Hadjar’s race engineer asked whether he believed he had more pace than Max Verstappen. His initial response perfectly captured how carefully he was approaching the situation.
“I might only be two or three tenths quicker, but I’m happy to stay here [behind Max], honestly. Otherwise we’d just end up losing time.”
In other words, Isack Hadjar appeared perfectly content to remain where he was rather than create unnecessary trouble between the two Red Bulls.
It was an intriguing dynamic for a driver who had only just returned after missing the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix through injury. The Baku comeback immediately placed Isack Hadjar back alongside one of Formula 1’s benchmark drivers, with the Frenchman showing enough pace to remain firmly involved in the fight at the front.
Hadjar becomes increasingly impatient as Verstappen loses ground
The situation began to change when Isack Hadjar noticed Max Verstappen losing ground to Oscar Piastri. The problem was how to communicate that message without directly demanding that Red Bull move its four-time World Champion out of the way.
Isack Hadjar chose diplomacy.
“Is he struggling now or what?” Isack Hadjar asked over the radio.
After being told that Max Verstappen was experiencing tyre difficulties, Isack Hadjar added: “Okay, but I have the pace, in case there’s a need.”
The most assertive message was still remarkably restrained: “Tell him to keep pushing.”
The exchanges quickly attracted attention on social media because of the careful language being used by a driver who clearly felt he had additional speed available but appeared determined not to create unnecessary tension with his team-mate.
Hadjar later asks Verstappen for help against Oscar Piastri
Later in the race, the competitive picture changed again. Max Verstappen eventually cleared Oscar Piastri and began pursuing George Russell for the victory, while Isack Hadjar found himself fighting the McLaren driver for the final podium position.
At that point, Isack Hadjar asked whether assistance from Max Verstappen might become possible if the Dutchman could no longer challenge for the win.
“If Max can’t fight for the victory, I’ll need his help with Piastri,” Isack Hadjar warned.
The scenario never developed. Oscar Piastri ran wide at Turn 1, while Max Verstappen continued his pursuit of George Russell at the front. George Russell eventually held on by just 0.1 seconds, with Max Verstappen second and Isack Hadjar completing the podium.
Hadjar completes remarkable Baku return with third place
For Isack Hadjar, the outcome could hardly have been better. After three races on the sidelines, he returned directly to the podium and helped deliver Red Bull’s first double top-three finish since China in 2024.
Max Verstappen’s place at the heart of Red Bull’s long-term plans is well established following his new contract running to 2030, but Baku also provided another indication of what Isack Hadjar can offer alongside him.
The Frenchman had the pace to run close to Max Verstappen, handled the internal situation without creating unnecessary risk and then converted his opportunity into third place. His radio messages may have provided some of the weekend’s lighter moments, but the performance behind them was serious: Isack Hadjar returned from injury with a podium and Red Bull left Azerbaijan with both cars in the top three.
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