Max Verstappen has already made his feelings clear on Isack Hadjar amid growing rumours that the rookie may join Red Bull.
Red Bull have struggled to secure a competitive partner for their four-time Drivers' world champion in recent years.
Sergio Perez left the team at the end of last season, while Liam Lawson was given only two races this year before he was demoted to join the Racing Bulls. Yuki Tsunoda was promoted to replace the Kiwi, but the Japanese driver has managed just nine points since taking over.
By comparison, Verstappen has a staggering 194 points, including three race wins, with the most recent being the Italian Grand Prix. The huge gap in performance has fuelled speculation that Red Bull may be planning to make yet another change to their line-up.
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According to auto motor sport, Helmut Marko has been actively searching for a new long-term partner for Verstappen, but has yet to find the ideal candidate.
However, it has been described as an "open secret" within the paddock that rookie Isack Hadjar will step up to the Red Bull senior team next year. Verstappen has already expressed his admiration for Hadjar, following the youngster's impressive podium finish earlier this month at the Dutch GP.
He said: "It’s fantastic, honestly, coming in as a rookie is not easy with these cars.
"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."
The pair even shared a light-hearted joke regarding the potential Red Bull switch. Verstappen joked: "Terrible, I'm joking."
Hadjar replied: "I don’t want to be next to Max. I don’t like him. That’s it."
Hadjar has impressed in his first season in Formula 1, consistently finishing in the top 10.
Although his maiden podium at Zandvoort was an obvious highlight, his consistent performances will have caught the attention of Red Bull's management.
He currently sits ninth in the Drivers' Championship on 38 points, comfortably ahead of his teammate Lawson on 20 and Tsunoda on 12.
It now appears increasingly likely that Hadjar will be promoted to the Red Bull senior team at the end of the year.
They are also understood to be considering the promotion of 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad, which could put Tsunoda and Lawson's seats at risk.
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Motorsport, Red Bull Racing
James Taylor