Damon Hill warns Red Bull about Max Verstappen ‘psychologically’ crushing Isack Hadjar in 2026

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Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert have sent a warning about Max Verstappen dominating Isack Hadjar as he prepares to make his Red Bull Racing debut this season.

Isack Hadjar returns to the scene of his infamous F1 debut this weekend after he failed to start the Australian Grand Prix when he spun off during the formation lap.

The Frenchman bounced back from that mistake magnificently throughout the 2025 season, showing a level of mental fortitude that is going to be essential when he goes up against Max Verstappen this season.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies will hope that Hadjar finally solves the problem with the team’s second seat.

However, Hadjar’s crash during the shakedown in Barcelona, combined with several reliability issues that didn’t seem to impact Verstappen’s running, might have already put him on the back foot.

Johnny Herbert has admitted he’s already feeling ‘sorry’ for Hadjar, while Damon Hill has warned Red Bull about the impact of the Frenchman matching up against Verstappen.

READ MORE: Who is 2026 Red Bull F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert send Max Verstappen warning to Isack Hadjar

The former F1 drivers were speaking on the Stay on Track Podcast about the 21-year-old’s chances this season.

Herbert said: “I felt sorry for Isack. Isack didn’t have the smoothest of tests, and he always seemed to be the one who had more of a problem.

“They did, and it was great to see, they did give him that chance to get in the car when he had a bit of a bad morning session, for example, but there was still a gap.”

“It’s Max’s team, but it’s that gap difference between the two that is still there.

“I don’t know the whole story. I don’t know exactly what they did, of course, with their runs that they did, but if you want to go into the start of a season, [with] a new team, you want to be a tenth or two behind, not over half a second.”

Will Isack Hadjar be psychologically crushed by being Max Verstappen’s teammate this year?

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Hill replied: “I don’t think Max is under any threat. And if I were to be so presumptuous as to advise a team like Red Bull as to how to treat Isack, I would be giving him as much support as possible because you need a good number two, if he’s a number two.

“You need that to build that guy up, don’t crush him psychologically because that would be a shame because I think he’s incredibly talented and I think he’s got a lot to offer.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Laurent Mekies praises Isack Hadjar ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season

All 22 drivers on the grid are under unique pressure heading into the upcoming campaign, but Hadjar’s feels greater than most.

Red Bull have run out of options for their second seat if Hadjar fails, unless they want to give Liam Lawson a second chance or promote 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad.

They could recruit from elsewhere like they did with Sergio Perez, but that defeats the point of having a second team in the paddock if the pipeline no longer produces drivers of the required calibre.

Mekies has been very positive about Hadjar heading into the 2026 season, and the 21-year-old has never lacked self-confidence.

However, Jolyon Palmer has already changed his mind on Hadjar’s chances this year, with Verstappen once again impressing in pre-season, even if the RB22 isn’t the fastest car on track.