Isack Hadjar himself walked out of the Dutch Grand Prix with one of the biggest stories of the weekend and not necessarily due to his first podium in Formula 1. Not only did the 20 year old rookie demonstrate composure and maturity that were well above his years, but this demonstrated ability caught the eye of Helmut Marko in a manner rarely achieved by drivers within the Red Bull system.

The weekend of Hadjar had not got off very well. The mechanical issues on Friday did not spare him good track time and he was only given half a session to prepare before qualifying. Hadjar waved it away instead of being shaken. He even told his engineers he would make it in the top five, a very ambitious expectation of a rookie with so little experience at Zandvoort. He kept his word and took up his line in position four on the grid.

Then Hadjar drove an almost perfect race. He kept his composure when George Russell and Charles Leclerc continually threw everything at him during the last chapters. Hadjar never appeared stressed even when the sun went down on Lando Norris and left him without a podium. On the road, he left no wheel unchecked, and he was proud to defend and charge when he could. It was the type of performance that rivals respected and made the leadership at Red Bull notice.

Helmut Marko, who never wastes words in praising a person, was quick to point out what made Hadjar special. Isack is otherwise, said he after the race. In the case of Marko, the issue relates to the mental toughness of Hadjar. The pressure of the Red Bull spotlight has broken many young drivers especially when they are together with Max Verstappen. Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon are both the hardest hit by that. However, in Hadjar, Marko observes a motorist who is not only fast but also psychologically strong enough to bear the pressure-cooker of a seat in a Red Bull.

Nevertheless, history taught Red Bull to walk on the safe side of the street. Verstappen and the second seat is one of the most challenging positions in Formula 1, and the team recognizes the dangers of over-promoting a Formula 1 pilot. It is unlikely that decisions will be made with regards to 2026 available until October and the Mexican Grand-Prix is used as a benchmark. Red Bull will still be assessing their options until that time.

Yuki Tsunoda is still one of those. The Japanese driver has done big things in his time with the team although steadiness is his greatest challenge. Tsunoda reached only a dismal ninth place at Zandvoort with machinery identical to that of Verstappen and had to qualify no better than Q3. Marko admitted to his ill fate with the safety car but made it very clear what had to happen here: Tsunoda now had to prove that he was fast and capable of producing results week by week.

The developments of Hadjar are bound to increase pressure on the role of Tsunoda. When the French-Algerian rookie still impresses, then Red Bull might be less inclined to wait. The team says, at this stage there is no particular hurry in taking a decision, however the words of Marko show that there is something meaningful–Hadjar has already distinguished himself. Whether he is in the senior Red Bull car in 2026 or not, his point at Zandvoort was obvious: he should be at the very top of Formula 1.