Hadjar's Pragmatic Approach to Partnering Verstappen in 2026
Isack Hadjar is taking a pragmatic approach to his Red Bull F1 debut in 2026, openly admitting he expects to be slower than Max Verstappen initially. This candid outlook, acknowledging the formidable challenge of racing against "the best driver in the world," sets a more realistic tone compared to previous teammates who struggled with inflated expectations. Hadjar's focus on gradual improvement rather than immediate rivalry could be a key to long-term success with Red Bull.
Isack Hadjar will need more than just the right attitude to succeed where his five predecessors failed, in being a fully competitive team-mate and adversary to Max Verstappen within Red Bull's main Formula 1 team.
But a keen awareness of the scope of the challenge he will face as a sophomore F1 driver against "the best driver in the world" - and the willingness to publicly express this awareness without sugarcoating it in familiar, empty PR language - is a promising sign for Red Bull's latest gamble to finally give it a balanced Red Bull Racing line-up.
Why it matters:
Red Bull has consistently struggled to find a driver capable of challenging Max Verstappen, impacting their strategic flexibility and overall constructors' championship potential. Hadjar's candid and pragmatic mindset, acknowledging the immediate challenge rather than setting unrealistic expectations, suggests a more grounded approach that could benefit both the driver and the team in the long run. This refreshingly honest perspective contrasts sharply with previous teammates' struggles to manage expectations, potentially setting Hadjar up for a more sustainable and successful tenure.
The Details:
- Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Hadjar openly refuted the notion that his immediate goal would be to beat Verstappen. Instead, he stated, "If anything the goal is to accept that I'm going to be slower for the first months."
- He believes previous teammates might have suffered from inflated expectations, going in with the mindset that they could immediately challenge Verstappen, only to be overwhelmed.
- Hadjar highlighted the "snowball effect" of frustration that can occur when a driver realizes they cannot match Verstappen's pace, leading to a downward spiral in performance and confidence.
- Verstappen's Dominance: Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure in 2018, Verstappen has accounted for 69.5% of Red Bull's points (2749.5 out of 3955.5), and an even more staggering 93% specifically this year.
- Verstappen's qualifying record against his teammates this year is 28-1 against Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, and was 29-1 against Sergio Perez the year prior.
- Hadjar acknowledges that while the 2026 regulation reset offers a "flicker of early hope" due to all-new cars, he doesn't heavily rely on it. He notes Verstappen's ability to adapt to any car, rendering the new regulations less of an equalizer against him.
What's next:
Hadjar's realistic outlook is not a sign of weakness but a calculated and necessary grounding of expectations. If he manages to perform at Verstappen's level from the outset, it would be an unexpected bonus, and at 21, he has ample time to develop and capitalize on his potential.
- This approach could help Hadjar avoid the mental pitfalls that have plagued Verstappen's previous teammates, allowing him to focus on incremental improvement rather than immediate, unrealistic comparisons.
- His willingness to learn and adapt, rather than arrive with an 'I'll beat him' mentality, positions him as a long-term investment for Red Bull, hoping to eventually cultivate a truly competitive second driver.
- The 2026 season will be a crucial test, not just for Hadjar's driving skills, but for his mental fortitude and ability to grow in the shadow of a three-time world champion.