Verstappen Backs Hadjar for 2026 Red Bull Seat, Predicts Grid Surprises

Max Verstappen has thrown his support behind Isack Hadjar, stating the Frenchman "deserves" his promotion to the senior Red Bull team for the 2026 season. With a massive regulatory overhaul shaking up the grid, Verstappen suggests the reset could level the playing field, potentially bringing "new names" to the front of the pack.

Why it matters:

Red Bull enters a critical new era in 2026, running its own power unit developed with Ford for the first time. The team's dominance has faced challenges recently, and integrating a rookie alongside a demanding four-time champion is a high-stakes gamble. However, the regulation reset offers a unique opportunity for Hadjar to establish himself without pre-existing data disadvantages.

The details:

• Verstappen's Verdict: When asked if the new rules help Hadjar, Verstappen replied, "Why not? After a great first season with Racing Bulls, he deserves a chance with Red Bull."
• Predicting Surprises: The Dutch champion warned that the new chassis and engine formula will likely shuffle the pecking order, hinting that established hierarchies might not hold.
• Marko's Praise: Helmut Marko, Red Bull's outgoing advisor, compared Hadjar's adaptability to legends like Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. Marko noted Hadjar is competitive within three laps of learning a new circuit.
• Testing Performance: Hadjar backed up the talk by topping the unofficial leaderboard on the first day of the Barcelona shakedown test.

What's next:

As the team develops the Ford-powered package, the focus will be on how quickly Hadjar can adapt to the pressures of the top team. If the regulation shake-up creates the unpredictability Verstappen expects, Red Bull’s new driver lineup could be well-positioned to challenge for titles immediately.