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TANIA HARDJA: NO, I DON’T THINK I NEED TO BE LESS AGGRESSIVE

Tania Hardja on being part of the Red Bull family, stepping into a senior role in Racing Bulls, and their personal story — or lack thereof.

By Claire Imondi Photography by Antonio Accardi February 27, 2025

“How much longer until you get here?” is the greeting I get when I answer the call through my car’s phone system. That’s Tania Hardja, one of the top 20 drivers in the world. They’ve been a Formula 1 driver for four years now. Today, I have the privilege to sit and chat with them.

There’s a fork in the road, and when I take the path leading left I have my destination locked in: I’m headed for the city of Faenza, home to the lesser - known Italian Formula 1 team of Visa Cashapp Racing Bulls, often referred to by personnel and fans alike as VCARB, and formerly known as Scuderia AlphaTauri, or Scuderia Toro Rosso, or perhaps, even farther back, as Minardi F1 Team. They have a lot of history.

In all honesty, Tania is only just one piece of the puzzle. Any long - time fans of the sport, or of the team, can probably attest to that. But there’s something about the 26 - year - old’s unique off - track attitude and approach to racing that has led to a lot of attention, both on them and on the team. Maybe they’re just the right cog for the Racing Bulls machinery.

Later, when I sit down with the Indonesian - Italian driver, fitted in Racing Bulls’ trademark white - and - blue fireproof undershirt and race suit hanging around their waist, they tell me, “I mean, it’s not something I think about. I’m here to race. What the viewers think is up to them.” It’s so brazenly unapologetic, as is the rest of Tania, but it still takes me aback.

In a sport like Formula 1, — where everything is for the fans and the public eye — Tania’s lack of care for the media circus sets them apart. Even scoring this interview feels more like them doing me a favour. When I ask about fan engagement, they say, “It’s not really in the job description, is it?” One of the VCARB team members hovering over Tania laughs. I watch the two of them exchange a brief look I can’t entirely make out before Tania addresses me again. “I come, I race, I leave. People seem to like that.” They’re not wrong. Even with the brashness, it’s obvious that their team likes them.

Fans also think Tania is a breath of fresh air. I’ve heard some call them a remnant of another time, something akin to the James Hunt of the modern era. Tania disagrees. “I’m not trying to be anything,” they say. They’re expertly pulling their hair into a single, tight braid as we have this conversation, as if eager to get back into full racing gear and jump into the car as soon as we’re done. There’s a balaclava sitting on the coffee table. I have to remind myself that this is all just for show — all part of the photoshoot that Tania has agreed to take part in. “That’s what everyone gets wrong,” they add. “People like James Hunt had a story to tell. I don’t.”

I’ve done my research before visiting the VCARB headquarters in Faenza. They may be no [Cassius] Fulgora, but I know fans covet the story behind Tania Taviani - Hardja. That’s why I’m here instead of in the small town of Maranello. There has to be something. I tell them as much.

Tania snorts, tying the end of their braid with a plain black hairband. They stand up, and I have no choice but to follow suit. “Sure,” they say, “If you think so.”

The team personnel in the room stand, too. They’re now ready for the photoshoot half of this session. I’m no closer to that story, but I get to have another crack at Racing Bulls’ senior driver with a couple more questions as we head out to watch Tania pose in front of the VCARB 01.

on being part of the Red Bull Junior Team…

“There’s not a lot to say.” There’s a shrug before Tania tucks their helmet under their arm. They’re half - sat on the front of VCARB’s car from last season, just shy of being camera - ready. They turn to look at me instead of the camera, then add, “I mean, all my thanks to those guys up there. Chose me, sponsored me, got me here — but I’m no longer part of that.” It’s true enough. I remind them that they’re still a part of the Red Bull family, to which Tania replies with, “Yeah, but I’m first and foremost a VCARB driver.”

on stepping into a more senior role at Racing Bulls…

“It’s natural progression, right?” they say. “I’ve been here, what? Three full seasons now, and then half of 2021.” They’re starting their fifth season with Racing Bulls in 2025 — an unusual but not unheard of story with Red Bull Racing’s sister team. “The team expects me to play a more senior role. I do, too.” It almost sounds like an interview - ready answer until they add, “It’s not that big of a change.”

Obviously, being the more senior of the Racing Bulls duo when it comes to experience is a big deal. Tania doesn’t say it, but I don’t miss the way their chest puffs out a little when they switch the helmet over to their other side. The curl of their lips look proud. “It’s natural progression. I know my way around here enough to help develop the car. Just kind of a build up of the past four years.”

on the comments about their racing aggression…

“No, I don’t think I need to be less aggressive,” Tania is quick to answer. “I don’t race dirty.” From anyone else, it might sound practiced. Tania just sounds honest — a little defensive, maybe, but who wouldn’t be with a question like that? Pundits from all over have talked about their tendency to go full throttle and hit the brakes as late as possible, sometimes with very little regard for the other car. In Miami last year, it almost took out their fellow VCARB driver. It’s not the only time last season where they’ve been criticised for unnecessary on - track action.

But Tania shrugs it off. They clarify, “I really don’t think I’m aggressive. My job is to race. Drive fast. Get through the corner first. That’s exactly what I do.” And maybe that’s part of their charm.

on getting a promotion…

“Yeah, well, I hope so.” This is probably the most vulnerable they have been throughout this entire interview. There’s a lull between the photos taken, and someone is fussing over the placement of Tania’s braid over their shoulder. They’re paying no mind to any of that, eyes honed in on me. It almost makes me feel a little shy for asking it. “That’s the goal, right? Get a seat with one of the top teams. It’s not just me.” But not everyone is in the unique situation that they’re in. They grew up in Red Bull’s academy and is now occupying a seat in its sister team. Surely the goal here is Red Bull Racing’s main team. Tania says, “If I think about that too hard, I’ll lose what matters. They’ll promote me if I race well.”

on life outside the track…

It takes them a moment to answer this one, opting to pull on the balaclava and tucking the braid inside before they look at me again. “What do you want to know?” they ask. A lot, actually, but I don’t have time to go through my list of Tania’s favourite things. There are things that I’d rather know about than their favourite colour, or their favourite food. I ask them what a regular day looks like for them when they’re not in the factory or attending a race weekend.

They look almost confused. “The same thing a regular day for anyone else would look like?” they answer, except it isn’t really an answer. It’s a little endearing. “I don’t know. Depends. I eat, I work out, I go on walks.” Tania tells me that their regular residence is only a few towns over, in the city of Bologna. “I play games. I go shopping. Sometimes I see my family.�� Let people come over. There’s no set regular day.” I tell them that makes sense, because that makes them a regular person, to which I get an acknowledgment of, “Yeah, maybe.”

After that last answer, they tug on their helmet over their white balaclava. I got the signal. Interview over. But there’s a couple more photos that Tania needs to take in their full gear, and I’ve been invited to watch until the shoot ends.

I can’t see their face from this angle, but I don’t need to. I need no more than thirty seconds watching the Indonesian VCARB driver, face angled down and shoulders squared, — looking more race - ready than they are camera - ready — to know that this, too, is not for show. This is just Tania Hardja, in all their full honesty. It’s glorious. There’s a story there somewhere, but maybe what we’ll see when they go racing again in Australia is really what we’ll get.