Johnny Herbert on Isack Hadjar: Can He Break Red Bull's Second-Driver Curse?

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Isack Hadjar possesses the key qualities needed to succeed as Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull. Herbert points to Hadjar's impressive 2025 rookie season, marked by consistency and a strong work ethic, as evidence he could defy the team's notorious "second-driver curse" and thrive in the high-pressure environment.

Why it matters:

The Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen is notoriously one of the most challenging in Formula 1, with a history of talented drivers struggling to match the triple world champion's pace. Hadjar's success or failure will not only define his career but also impact Red Bull's ability to dominate the Constructors' Championship, making his performance a critical storyline for the upcoming season.

The details:

• Consistency: Herbert highlighted Hadjar's remarkable consistency throughout his rookie season, regularly qualifying in the top eight and scoring points consistently, a trait often overlooked in young drivers.
• Outperforming a teammate: The Frenchman consistently beat the more experienced Liam Lawson, a key metric for teams evaluating young talent and a major factor in his promotion.
• Team contribution: Beyond his driving, Herbert praised Hadjar's work ethic and his ability to provide precise, useful feedback to engineers. This skill is crucial for developing the car and helping the team progress.
• A 'mini-Max' mindset: Herbert noted that Hadjar's approach to problem-solving and feedback is similar to Verstappen's, just "on a much bigger scale" for the reigning champion, suggesting a good intellectual fit with the team's philosophy.

Looking Ahead:

The true test for Hadjar will be translating his impressive rookie form into the senior Red Bull team. While his consistency and feedback are valuable assets, matching Verstappen's outright pace is a different challenge entirely. All eyes will be on the Frenchman to see if he can handle the immense pressure and forge a productive partnership, or if he will become the latest driver to be overshadowed by the #1.