Isack Hadjar Impressed by Max Verstappen's 'Starving' Mindset Ahead of 2026 Red Bull Move
Red Bull's new driver for 2026, Isack Hadjar, says he is impressed by and shares Max Verstappen's "starving" mindset for success. The French rookie highlighted the four-time champion's undiminished hunger as a key trait, expressing excitement about the challenge of being his teammate at the world champion team.
Isack Hadjar, promoted to Red Bull Racing for 2026, says he shares a key trait with his new teammate Max Verstappen: a relentless hunger for success. The French rookie, coming off a strong season with Racing Bulls, highlighted Verstappen's undiminished drive even after four world championships as "very impressive" and a mindset he identifies with.
Why it matters:
A driver's mentality is a critical, often intangible, component of success in Formula 1. Hadjar's observation underscores the psychological benchmark Verstappen sets within the Red Bull organization. For a promising rookie like Hadjar, entering a champion team alongside the sport's current dominant force is the ultimate test and learning opportunity, setting the stage for his development and the team's future dynamics.
The details:
- Hadjar specifically praised Verstappen's sustained intensity, noting the champion gets "very mad when it doesn't go his way" because he always wants to win.
- He contrasted this, stating, "I don't think every champion can do that. Once you pass a certain level, you can maybe slow down a bit in your approach, but he seems to be starving, just like I am."
- The move to Red Bull fulfills a childhood dream for Hadjar, who grew up watching Sebastian Vettel dominate for the team.
- He expressed excitement about two key aspects: joining a world champion constructor and experiencing firsthand "what facing the best level in the world feels like" as Verstappen's teammate.
What's next:
The formal beginning of this new partnership will be marked by Red Bull's 2026 car launch, scheduled for January 15 in Detroit. All eyes will then turn to pre-season testing and the opening races, where Hadjar's adaptation to the top team and his dynamic with the established benchmark, Verstappen, will be a focal point of the early season narrative.