Helmut Marko crowns Isack Hadjar F1's top rookie in stunning verdict

Isack Hadjar has secured five top-10 Grand Prix finishes so far in 2025

Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko has claimed that Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar is the "most impressive rookie."

Hadjar joined a rookie class that included Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman at Haas, Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber, and Jack Doohan at Alpine - though Doohan has since been replaced by Franco Colapinto. Liam Lawson also started the season at Red Bull but moved to Racing Bulls after just two races.

After nine races of the 2025 F1 season, Hadjar sits ninth in the drivers' standings with 21 points - the second-highest scoring rookie behind Antonelli, who is seventh with 48 points.

"I mean, definitely Isack Hadjar. He, for me, is the most impressive rookie," Marko said during an appearance on The Inside Track.

"He comes to a circuit which he doesn't know, and within three laps, he is competitive. He's a regular Q3 qualifier. And it comes very natural. He also proved, in his personality - I heard some of his interviews, which were really funny - and also showing a lot of sense of humour, also about himself. He can laugh."

Red Bull has had a difficult start to the year. The Milton Keynes outfit is fourth in the constructors' standings, 218 points behind championship leaders McLaren. Max Verstappen has secured 137 of the team's total 144.

The Austrian team began the year with Lawson alongside the four-time champion. However, the New Zealander found himself replaced by Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Since then, the Japanese driver has been tasked with adjusting to the car, but has not been able to utilise the same level of performance as his team-mate.

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

As a result, attention has turned to Hadjar, who has impressed in his debut season so far and has a similar driving style to the Dutchman. While discussing the possibility of the 20-year-old moving to Red Bull on Sky Sports' F1 Show, presenter Simon Lazenby claimed that it could possibly "destroy" his career.

"If I was Isack Hadjar I would be saying, 'no, no, no.' I would be running a mile from that at the moment," Lazenby explained.