Helmut Marko has praised Izak Hajjar, claiming he possesses qualities comparable to F1 legends Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, highlighted Hajjar’s rare talent during an episode of the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, noting that the young driver quickly adapts to new circuits, much like Schumacher and Senna did during their careers. Marko emphasized that both Schumacher and Senna didn’t need extensive testing to be competitive—they immediately performed at a high level, a trait he sees in Hajjar.
Hajjar, who is having an impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls, is expected to join Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen in 2026, likely replacing Yuki Tsunoda. Red Bull plans to finalize its 2026 driver lineup after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Marko’s recent comments strongly suggest Hajjar’s promotion is certain. Currently, Hajjar is 10th in the drivers’ championship with 43 points, seven points ahead of teammate Liam Lawson, while Racing Bulls stand sixth in the constructors’ standings, trailing Aston Martin by 10 points with three races remaining.
Fan Take: This endorsement from Helmut Marko is a massive boost for Racing Bulls fans, signaling that their rookie could soon be competing at the very top with Red Bull. Hajjar’s ascent represents a fresh wave of talent that could shift the dynamics in F1 and inspire fierce competition for years to come.
