F1 Fans Back Isack Hadjar to Break Red Bull's Second-Seat Curse Against Verstappen
Isack Hadjar, promoted to Red Bull for 2026, is seen by fans as having a unique chance to be a more competitive teammate to Max Verstappen. With new leadership under Laurent Mekies and a major regulation reset on the horizon, the environment may finally allow a driver to thrive in the team's second seat.
Isack Hadjar enters his second F1 season facing the sport's toughest challenge: partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull. After a promising debut with Racing Bulls that included a podium at Zandvoort, the 21-year-old Frenchman has been promoted to the seat where many have faltered. With a new team principal in Laurent Mekies and a major regulation change approaching, some believe the timing might be right for Hadjar to finally buck the trend of Verstappen's teammates struggling to match his pace.
Why it matters:
The performance gap between Verstappen and his teammates has been a defining feature of Red Bull's recent era. A driver who can consistently push and challenge the reigning champion could force a strategic shift within the team, potentially leading to more balanced car development and a more dynamic intra-team competition. Success for Hadjar would validate Red Bull's junior program and reshape the narrative around the team's coveted second seat.
The details:
- Hadjar's promotion follows a line of drivers—including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez—who have struggled to match Verstappen's performance over a full season.
- Structural Shift: New Team Principal Laurent Mekies is implementing organizational changes, moving away from the previous Christian Horner-led structure that was heavily centered on Verstappen's feedback and driving style.
- Regulatory Reset: The 2026 season will introduce a new set of technical regulations, meaning all teams, including Red Bull, will start development from a fresh slate. This could reduce any inherent car bias built for Verstappen over the years.
- Fan Confidence: In a recent poll by RacingNews365, a majority of F1 fans backed Hadjar as the driver most likely to be a closer match for Verstappen than his recent predecessors, signaling public belief in a potential shift.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the pre-season tests and the opening rounds of 2026 to see if the internal changes at Red Bull translate to a more competitive environment. Hadjar doesn't need to beat Verstappen to be considered a success; consistent points finishes and occasional podium challenges would mark a significant improvement. His performance could determine whether Red Bull continues with a clear number-one driver system or adopts a more egalitarian approach for the new regulatory era.