Isack Hadjar Responds to Helmut Marko’s Warning Ahead of His F1 Debut

Isack Hadjar is gearing up for his Formula 1 debut with Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, but first, he’s had to address some concerns raised by Helmut Marko. Ahead of the 2025 season, the renowned Red Bull motorsport advisor warned the young driver to “keep his emotions under control”, following past incidents of on-radio rants and outbursts.

Hadjar to Tame His Radio Rants for 2025 F1 Season

In recent years, Red Bull Racing has earned a reputation for placing drivers with fiery personalities in their cars. Isack Hadjar, who steps up from Formula 2 to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls this season, is the latest to join the ranks. However, his outspoken nature on the radio, much like his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, has not gone unnoticed by the team’s top brass.

Helmut Marko has been vocal in his disapproval of drivers’ emotional outbursts during races, particularly over the radio. He famously criticized Tsunoda for his expletive-laden rants in previous seasons, stating in 2022, “At some point, his outbursts of rage on the radio went too far.” Marko explained that such emotional outbursts were counterproductive, as they distracted from the task at hand and hindered the team’s ability to make informed adjustments to the car’s performance. The Japanese driver eventually learned to control his emotions, earning praise from Marko when he said Tsunoda had “blossomed” in 2023, having eliminated his on-air rants.

Hadjar’s Emotions: A Work in Progress

Isack Hadjar, still in the early stages of his F1 career, has already received a similar warning. Marko remarked that although the 20-year-old has great speed, he must learn to stay focused and maintain composure during races. The Racing Bulls driver’s emotional outbursts were notably on display in Monte Carlo, where he was frustrated by another driver’s move under the Safety Car, which Marko saw as an opportunity for Hadjar to be more aggressive rather than complain.

Marko also pointed out Hadjar’s inconsistency, referencing a spin during testing in Abu Dhabi as an example of the improvements needed in his performance. “He has to make fewer mistakes, focus on the important things, and build consistency,” said Marko. These are all elements of growth that Hadjar will need to work on as he enters the fast-paced world of Formula 1.

Hadjar’s Promise: A More Controlled Approach

In an effort to meet his team’s expectations, Hadjar has acknowledged the need to rein in his emotions on the radio. Speaking to L’Equipe, the young driver admitted that his on-air frustration was a personal weakness but promised to change. “Yes, being angry on the radio,” Hadjar said. “It’s a weakness for some people, but for me, it’s not important. I’m aware of what I’m doing and I know why I’m doing it. But I understand. We’re going to cut that this year, that’s all. I’ll scream all by myself in my car and no one will hear.”

Hadjar’s promise signals a maturity shift as he prepares for his debut F1 season, and Red Bull will be watching closely to see if the young talent can harness his emotions and focus on delivering consistent, high-level performance throughout the season. This controlled approach will be vital for Hadjar’s success, especially as he partners with a more experienced driver like Yuki Tsunoda.

Final Thoughts: A Key Development for Hadjar’s Career

For Isack Hadjar, mastering his emotions will be just as important as refining his driving skills in his Formula 1 journey. With the guidance of Red Bull’s senior team members, Hadjar has the potential to evolve into a more disciplined and strategic driver—one that can consistently perform on the F1 grid without being distracted by emotional outbursts. As the season progresses, fans will be watching to see how Hadjar adapts and proves himself under the bright lights of the Formula 1 stage.