Verstappen's Teammate Gauntlet: How Max Dominated His Predecessors
Max Verstappen will have Isack Hadjar as his seventh teammate at Red Bull in 2026, continuing a trend of the four-time world champion consistently outperforming all his stablemates since 2018. From Daniel Ricciardo to Sergio Perez, and short stints by Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, no driver has consistently matched Verstappen's pace, highlighting his exceptional dominance and Red Bull's ongoing search for a strong, consistent second driver.
In 2026, Max Verstappen will welcome Isack Hadjar as his seventh teammate at Red Bull Racing. This continues a pattern of the four-time world champion consistently outperforming his stablemates since 2018, having decisively beaten every driver paired with him. Hadjar faces the formidable challenge of breaking this trend.
Why it matters:
- Verstappen's unparalleled dominance over his teammates highlights his exceptional talent and adaptability, raising questions about whether any driver can truly match him within the same team.
- The consistent turnover of drivers alongside Verstappen underscores Red Bull's high performance expectations and their struggle to find a long-term, consistently competitive partner for their star driver.
- Isack Hadjar's promotion signals Red Bull's continued strategy of developing young talent, but also places immense pressure on him to perform immediately against one of F1's most dominant figures.
The details:
- Daniel Ricciardo (2016-2018): Ricciardo was Verstappen's most competitive teammate, even outscoring him in 2016 and 2017. However, Verstappen began to turn the tide in 2018, outscoring Ricciardo for the first time before the Australian departed for Renault.
- Pierre Gasly (2019): Promoted from Toro Rosso, Gasly struggled significantly at Red Bull and was demoted back to the junior team mid-season due to a lack of performance.
- Alexander Albon (2019-2020): Albon showed flashes of potential, including two podiums, but lacked the consistency to challenge Verstappen. He finished behind Gasly in the 2020 standings despite having a faster car.
- Sergio Perez (2021-2024): Perez played a crucial supporting role in Verstappen's 2021 title win. While he secured two victories in the dominant 2023 season, he consistently finished well behind Verstappen in points. His inconsistent 2024 performance, which contributed to Red Bull losing the constructors' title, led to his eventual replacement.
- Liam Lawson (2025 - part-season): A surprise promotion, Lawson's stint at Red Bull was brief, lasting only two rounds before being replaced.
- Yuki Tsunoda (2025 - part-season): Tsunoda performed slightly better than Lawson but failed to convince the team, ultimately leading to Hadjar's promotion for 2026.
What's next:
Isack Hadjar will step into one of the most demanding seats in Formula 1, tasked with proving his mettle against the sport's current benchmark. His performance in 2026 will not only define his own F1 career but also test Red Bull's talent pipeline once again. For Red Bull, the challenge remains finding a teammate who can consistently support Verstappen and contribute to the constructors' championship, rather than merely being a foil for the Dutchman's brilliance.