New RB driver Isack Hadjar impressed Red Bull by being quicker than Yuki Tsunoda during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi (pictured), according to team principal Christian Horner.
Tsunoda was overlooked for the Red Bull seat when it was announced this week, with Liam Lawson chosen to partner Max Verstappen following Sergio Perez’s departure. That move opened the door for Hadjar to step into a race seat, and with both he and Tsunoda having driven for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi the team had a chance to compare the two drivers.
“Isack, he’s another talent — he jumped in the car, he was faster than Yuki in the test last week, which turned heads,” Horner said. “He’s definitely a raw talent — he needs a little bit of polishing, but he has the speed.
“He was unfortunate in Formula 2 to miss out [on the title] at the last race due to technical glitches with start-line software, from what I understand, but he’s impressed as well. Particularly with his speed. It will be interesting to see how things pan out.”
Horner said he spoke with Tsunoda about not getting the Red Bull drive, and that the Japanese driver is aware opportunities could still come his way despite going into what is likely to be his last year with RB.
“His motivation was to demonstrate that he warrants that opportunity,” Horner said. “And the Racing Bulls team will hopefully make a step forward again next year as they utilize the rear suspension and the gearbox, and the aspects that they’re allowed to use [from Red Bull].
“I think as that team and new management matures, that team will naturally take a step forward. [Tsunoda]’s very determined; he knows that things change very quickly. Who would’ve thought nine months ago we’d be sitting here talking about Liam Lawson being our driver for 2025? Things change quickly in this industry and he’s aware of that and knows that he needs to be the one demonstrating that he’s the one knocking on the door.”
