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As Red Bull evaluate their driver roster, this adds another variable to the increasingly complex equation at Milton Keynes.<\/p>\n
Why Isack Hadjar is in no rush to join Red Bull<\/h2>\n
The first two rounds of the season were a mixed bag for Isack Hadjar, who recovered from a spin during the formation lap in Australia<\/a> to score points at the Chinese GP.<\/p>\n After these two race weekends, it was clear that Yuki Tsunoda<\/a> was the faster driver at VCARB.<\/p>\n Still, Hadjar was showing more than enough promise to justify his promotion into Formula 1.<\/p>\n Of course, Red Bull’s swap between Tsunoda and Lawson changed the dynamics at the Faenza team.<\/p>\n Lawson was forced to adapt to a new team whilst also processing the psychological blow of losing his seat alongside Verstappen so quickly.<\/p>\n Tsunoda, meanwhile, was thrown into the deep end of a Red Bull that is not only very unpredictable and temperamental, but is also simply slower than it was twelve months ago.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old was only a tenth behind Verstappen in Hungary qualifying, but still find himself eliminated in Q1.<\/p>\n On the one hand, these circumstance have helped Hadjar boost his market value with a consistent spell at the Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n At the same time, it can hardly be a surprise that Hadjar shied away from suggestions he was ready to join Red Bull earlier in the season.<\/p>\n “It’s a bit scary, I wouldn’t feel ready” was hit initial response to this proposition in June.<\/p>\n According to new reports<\/a>, this hesitance persists, with Hadjar not enthusiastic about the prospect of being put alongside Verstappen.<\/p>\n For obvious reasons, this is an important factor when assessing the Milton Keynes outfit’s driver situation.<\/p>\n As mentioned previously on LWOS, Red Bull’s main objective is to get Yuki Tsunoda performing<\/a> at a closer level to Verstappen.<\/p>\n Recently appointed team principal Laurent Mekies has no interest in scapegoating the Japanese driver and making another swap.<\/p>\n Red Bull are also desperate to prove they can have two competitive drivers, rather than just relying on Verstappen.<\/p>\n It should be remembered that Mekies was in charge at VCARB whilst Tsunoda was doing the heavy-lifting for the team in 2023 and 2024 – and so he therefore rates him highly.<\/p>\n Helmut Marko has historically been vocal about his support for Tsunoda, especially in comparison to Christian Horner<\/a>.<\/p>\n Still, this does not mean the 25-year-old can get comfortable.<\/p>\n All of Red Bull’s drivers, excluding Verstappen, are being evaluated ahead of next season.<\/p>\n This means Hadjar and Lawson will be working to set themselves apart over the next ten rounds.<\/p>\nRed Bull’s next steps<\/h4>\n
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