Hadjar's Unconventional Plan to Handle Verstappen Challenge at Red Bull

Isack Hadjar has revealed his pragmatic and unorthodox strategy for tackling the daunting task of being Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull in 2026, centered on accepting he will initially be slower than the reigning champion. The 21-year-old Frenchman, promoted after a single impressive season at Racing Bulls, believes this mindset will help him avoid the psychological pitfalls that have ensnared previous occupants of the sport's most difficult seat.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's second seat has become a notorious career graveyard for drivers unable to match Verstappen's extreme driving style and the car developed around him. Hadjar's promotion coincides with a major regulation change for 2026, offering a rare clean-slate opportunity. His conscious decision to manage expectations and focus on long-term growth, rather than immediate rivalry, represents a novel psychological approach to one of Formula 1's ultimate challenges.

The details:

• Hadjar explicitly stated his goal is to "accept that I’m going to be slower the first month," believing this prepares him for the inevitable frustration of reviewing data and seeing gaps he cannot immediately close.
• He enters at the perfect time, with the 2026 RB22 being a completely new car under new regulations. "It’s not like Max knows the car; we all start from scratch," Hadjar noted, seeing this as a significant advantage over predecessors who joined mid-cycle.
• His rapid rise through Formula Regional, FIA F3, and F2 means he has driven five different rulesets in five years, making him adaptable. "I'm not used to anything. I just drive what I'm given. So it's a very good advantage," he explained.
• Hadjar dismissed the idea that past teammates like Pierre Gasly or Alex Albon felt beaten before they started. He argued the opposite is true: "Everyone thinks they’re special. You come in like: 'He’s a human, I’m gonna beat him' — and then you get stomped over. And then the snowball effect starts."

The big picture:

Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure in 2018, Verstappen has cycled through multiple teammates with varying degrees of struggle. Sergio Perez was a temporary exception but ultimately succumbed to the performance pressure. Hadjar will be the fourth driver to partner Verstappen in just 16 months by the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, highlighting the relentless turnover and immense pressure of the role. Red Bull is banking on a new regulatory era and a driver with a fresh mindset to finally stabilize the position.

What's next:

Hadjar remains a realist about the challenge, acknowledging Verstappen's unique strength is his lack of a fixed driving style. "He adapts to what he’s given, and that’s what makes his strength... He’s gonna be as good in next year’s car as he is on this year’s," Hadjar conceded. While holding onto hope, he grounds his ambition in reality: "Of course, I’m hoping to be as fast as him. I’m hoping, but realistically, it's a very small chance." His success will depend on whether this pragmatic, growth-oriented approach can withstand the intense scrutiny and comparison that comes with being Verstappen's teammate.