Max Verstappen has declared Isack Hadjar's maiden F1 podium as "fantastic" on a breakout day for the Racing Bulls driver. Hadjar finished third in the Dutch Grand Prix to land a first F1 podium in just his 14th start, having qualified fourth and then repelling challenges from Charles Leclerc and George Russell. He was promoted to third after Lando Norris's late retirement, with the podium being the first for Racing Bulls, and first for the second Red Bull team since Pierre Gasly's third at the 2021 Azerbaijan GP. Hadjar had enjoyed a strong rookie season up until this point, and has been linked with a promotion to Red Bull for 2026 as Verstappen passed his judgment on the latest Red Bull protégé. "It’s fantastic, honestly, coming in as a rookie is not easy with these cars," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365. "For him to be on the podium here is fully deserved. I think he had a great weekend, but also drove a great race. "Also, for the team, I think the whole season already they have been on it, and Isack is then finishing the job, and that’s just fantastic to see." As for the possibility of Hadjar joining him at Red Bull in 2026, Verstappen and Hadjar shared a light-hearted moment. "Terrible, I'm joking," the world champion joked, before Hadjar added, "I don’t want to be next to Max. I don’t like him. That’s it."
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