Hadjar embraces realism over bravado ahead of 2026 Red Bull debut
Isack Hadjar, set to join Red Bull Racing in 2026, is adopting a strategy of radical acceptance, publicly preparing to be slower than Max Verstappen initially to avoid the psychological pitfalls that have undone previous drivers in that seat.
Isack Hadjar is bracing for a bruising education alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing in 2026, viewing the challenge as a test of both pace and patience. Promoted to partner the sport's most complete driver, Hadjar is choosing acceptance over illusion, preparing not just for a faster car but for a prolonged mental siege where survival may depend on managing expectations from the start.
Why it matters:
The seat alongside Verstappen has proven toxic for many drivers' careers, creating a high-pressure environment that demands psychological resilience as much as raw speed. Hadjar's pragmatic approach of anticipating early struggles represents a strategic shift from previous incumbents who arrived with more bravado, suggesting a new generation may be learning from the graveyard of reputations that Red Bull's second seat has become.
The details:
- Hadjar openly acknowledges the high probability he will be slower than Verstappen initially, stating his primary goal is to "accept that I'm going to be slower the first months" to better handle the inevitable frustration.
- He highlights Verstappen's unique strength as his lack of a fixed driving style, noting the champion's constant adaptability to whatever car he's given makes him a moving target.
- The French driver pointedly observes the common pitfall for newcomers: "Everyone thinks they are special... Then you get stomped over. And then the snowball effect starts." His strategy is to avoid this psychological spiral by conceding the difficulty upfront.
- This mindset is informed by the recent struggles of drivers like Sergio Perez and the rapid turnover of talent including Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, all of whom faced immense pressure in the same environment.
Between the lines:
Hadjar's public candor is itself a survival tactic. By insulating himself against the shock of early performance gaps, he aims to build the long-term resilience needed to eventually close the gap. His focus isn't on immediately toppling Verstappen but on winning the longer fight against frustration and maintaining developmental momentum in a team entirely shaped around its lead driver's relentless success.
What's next:
The real test begins in 2026 when Hadjar steps into the Racing Bulls (currently VCARB) seat for a season before his Red Bull promotion. His performance there, and his ability to maintain the pragmatic mindset he's preaching now, will determine if this strategy of acceptance proves more durable than the approaches of his predecessors. The ultimate battle may be less against his teammate and more against the corrosive pressure of direct comparison.