Isack Hadjar makes Racing Bulls F1 debut claim that highlights how he’s completely different to Max Verstappen

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It has already been over 10 years since Max Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut during the 2015 season with Red Bull’s junior team.

Fast forward to 2025, and Isack Hadjar was the latest Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver to be embarking on a new journey at the highest level.

The Frenchman sits 16th in the drivers’ championship after six races, having scored five points for his new team.

Already, he has proven that he was ready for the step up to Formula 1, after being doubted by critics over the winter.

Hadjar has had an extraordinary impact at Racing Bulls and has impressed his bosses with his attitude from day one.

After his debut, Helmut Marko called a Hadjar crash embarrassing after he was visibly emotional in the paddock. Since then, he has been a man on a mission.

READ MORE: Helmut Marko thinks Isack Hadjar is impressed in one area that ‘newcomers struggle with’ in F1

Isack Hadjar questioned whether he was ready for F1 before his debut unlike Max Verstappen

Hadjar could be a contender for a promotion to Red Bull ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations if he continues to perform at a high level.

It’s safe to say that there are no guarantees at the Milton Keynes-based outfit for the time being, and even Max Verstappen could leave in the future.

The reigning champion was confident ahead of making his debut in the sport 10 years ago at the age of just 17, which turned out to be the opposite of what Hadjar was thinking in Australia.

“I know this is what I can and want to do. I’ve wanted to be a Formula 1 driver since I was four. Now is my chance and I’m going to take it,” said Verstappen, according to Sky Sports.

“Honestly, I had no clue how it was going to turn out. Like I always worked my whole life to get there,” Hadjar commented about his debut. “Going into Melbourne, I was like ‘Okay, this is coming, but am I fast enough? Do I have the skills required? Is it not too fast for me?’

“I think I had a good start to the year in Melbourne and then what happened on Sunday, I couldn’t make it to the race. You feel like your world is falling apart and then a week later, in China, my best qualifying of the season so far.”

READ MORE: Racing Bulls chief explains why he was so impressed with Isack Hadjar’s F1 debut despite his high-profile crash

Could Isack Hadjar partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026?

There’s a strong chance that if Yuki Tsunoda continues to underwhelm in the second car, that Red Bull will head into 2026 with yet another new driver line-up.

The Japanese driver is backed by Honda, and their partnership with Red Bull ends this season. The only reason to keep Tsunoda would be if he is performing.

Otherwise, they need to make space for other exciting talents on their way through, such as Arvid Lindblad, who is currently competing in his debut Formula 2 season.

Promoting Hadjar would create space for Lindblad, without the need to drop Lawson, without giving him a fair crack.

There are key decisions to be made, but based on current performance, Hadjar appears to be doing well so far.