Johnny Herbert: Ajar Needs Another Year at Racing Bulls
Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has thrown a crucial caution flag on the hype train surrounding Isack Hadjar, firmly stating that Red Bull should resist the immediate temptation to promote the young Frenchman from Racing Bulls to their senior team for the 2025 season. Herbert, a veteran of 165 Grands Prix, argues that such a premature leap could shatter the promising talent, forcing him to follow the grim career trajectories of predecessors like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who were thrust into the top-tier Red Bull seat only to be chewed up by the immense pressure and subsequently demoted.'Right now, everyone is talking about Hadjar,' Herbert observed, pointing to the driver's impressive form in his debut season where he has consistently outperformed the car's expected potential and earned the respect of the notoriously demanding Red Bull advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko.'He's showing massive potential, and the chatter is already there that he's the man to replace Yuki Tsunoda. But I truly hope they give him another year at Racing Bulls.The pattern is devastatingly clear: every time they pull someone directly into that main Red Bull environment without the foundational experience of fighting at the front, it ends horribly for the driver. ' Herbert's analysis cuts to the core of Red Bull's long-standing, and often brutal, driver development strategy, a system that has produced world champions like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen but has also left a trail of scorched earth in its wake.The cultural chasm between a midfield outfit like Racing Bulls and the championship-or-bust atmosphere at Red Bull Racing is, according to Herbert, a psychological gauntlet for which few are prepared. 'At Racing Bulls, you're in a smaller team, the atmosphere is different, the pressure, while significant, is of a different magnitude,' he explained.'At Red Bull, the expectation is instantaneous success; you are in a car capable of winning, and you are measured against Max Verstappen. That is a suffocating environment.' Hadjar's growth throughout the season, however, has been notable. His feisty drive in Singapore, where he reportedly told the seasoned Fernando Alonso to stop complaining, demonstrated a tenacity and self-belief that marks him as a special talent.This combination of raw speed and a fighting spirit makes the decision so critical. Herbert isn't questioning Hadjar's talent; he's questioning the system's impatience.He believes Red Bull must fundamentally 'rethink their strategy,' allowing Hadjar the crucial psychological runway to develop resilience and racecraft without the blinding spotlight of a top team. This extra year would allow him to lead the Racing Bulls team, contend for points consistently, and perhaps even snatch a podium on a chaotic weekend, building the mental fortitude required to survive and thrive alongside Verstappen.The stakes couldn't be higher. With Sergio Perez's future perpetually uncertain and Daniel Ricciardo's comeback narrative facing its own challenges, the second Red Bull seat remains one of the most coveted and perilous in the sport.Promoting Hadjar too soon risks breaking another bright prospect, but waiting too long could see him poached by a rival team. For Herbert, the choice is clear: patience is not a delay; it is an investment in a driver's ultimate success, a lesson he believes Red Bull must finally learn to avoid repeating the costly mistakes of its recent past.
Latest News
Alright, let's huddle up and talk about the Minnesota Timberwolves, because the 2025-26 season is about to tip off and the vibes in Minneapolis are a wild mix
1 hour ago0 comments
So, Seth Rollins went and did the thing at WWE Crown Jewel, pulling out a win against Cody Rhodes in what was an absolute banger of a match, but the victory
2 hours ago0 comments
The passionate outcry from Como's fan group, Curva Como 1907, against a proposed friendly against AC Milan in Perth, Australia, is more than just a dispute
2 hours ago1 comments
The fighting world holds its breath for UFC 323's main event, a high-stakes rematch between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili set for Las Vegas this December, and
2 hours ago0 comments
Real Madrid's relentless pursuit of footballing perfection continues unabated, with the latest reports from Defensa Central indicating that Juni Calafat's
2 hours ago1 comments
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the MMA world, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili took to social media with a message of gratitude and
2 hours ago0 comments
So, Connor McDavid just inked a two-year, $25 million extension with the Oilers, and honestly, the hockey world is kinda losing its mind—but maybe not for the
2 hours ago1 comments
The narrative surrounding Igor Larionov Jr.
3 hours ago0 comments
It’s quiet here...Start the conversation by leaving the first comment.