Isack Hadjar made a storming return to the Crimson Bull cockpit on the Azerbaijan GP, clinching P3 on the streets of Baku following a three-race absence because of a wrist damage.
Whereas the Frenchman’s uncooked tempo stood out—qualifying fourth earlier than scoring his second podium of the 12 months—it was his composure and strategic teamwork alongside Max Verstappen that almost all impressed Crimson Bull Staff Principal Laurent Mekies.
Talking post-race to written media, Mekies was filled with reward for the younger driver’s seamless return.
“I feel it was excellent what Isack has produced this weekend, actually excellent,” Mekies mentioned.
“At first, an important factor is that immediately he felt good within the automobile, no ache.
“It implies that each time we met collectively in the previous few weeks and we mentioned we are going to await Isack to come back again at 100% as a result of that’s the precedence, properly, that’s what occurred.
“He was within the automobile, he didn’t have any ache. Nonetheless, even with out ache, this isn’t a straightforward monitor to come back again to as a result of there isn’t a margin for error.”
Mekies highlighted how Hadjar fastidiously constructed momentum throughout every session with out overstepping the restrict.
“He has been increase his rhythm, session after session, very calmly, and with loads of constructive power,” Mekies added.
“Already yesterday, to stay the automobile in P4 was a really, very robust outcome. I feel at this time, the type of race tempo that he has proven on the medium and on the mushy, is one thing we had not seen earlier than.
“So on the weekend of his return, he has raised the bar once more.
“We are saying to one another fairly often that now we have seen him including one thing to the enterprise each time he was going out on monitor within the first a part of the season, and he’s persevering with to try this.”
Crimson Bull notes Hadjar maturity
Past his outright velocity, Hadjar’s mature communication over group radio throughout a tough first stint drew particular reward.
Requested to surrender his place to Verstappen, Hadjar complied with out friction. When requested how a lot tempo he had in reserve, Hadjar supplied a surprisingly calm response: “Two or three tenths, however I’m truthfully joyful to be right here.”
Mekies famous that this self-discipline and emotional management made a decisive distinction to the group’s total technique.
“And on high of that, permit me to say that he additionally raced extraordinarily cleverly with Max, very disciplined along with his tyres,” Mekies defined.
“It allowed us to have very, very robust teamwork between the 2 of them and between the pitwall. That has finally produced the very best outcome doable.”
When requested particularly about Hadjar’s measured radio message, Mekies pointed to it as clear proof of the rookie’s fast development.
“I feel you’re pinpointing precisely on the correct particulars that make you perceive much more about the correct footage,” Mekies mentioned.
“It exhibits you ways cleverly the child is racing, and the way a lot of mind capability he’s creating whereas within the automobile, and in addition how a lot emotional management he’s managing to have.
“These are as many indicators of the steps he has made in all these areas, on high of manufacturing extra velocity.
“So it’s precisely that trajectory that has been impressing us on daily basis since he has joined the group, and doubtless final 12 months as properly. And in addition for that, we wish to give him the absolute best setting to proceed to develop as a result of that step was actually spectacular.”
Mekies added that Crimson Bull’s choice to increase Hadjar’s contract into 2027 was designed to alleviate exterior stress—a religion the younger driver repaid immediately on the Baku Metropolis Circuit.
“I feel Isack repaid our religion at this time!” Mekies concluded.
READ MORE – Motorsport Week’s 2026 F1 Azerbaijan GP Driver Rankings