Isack Hadjar’s comments on being Max Verstappen’s F1 teammate sum up why Red Bull have promoted him

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Isack Hadjar will be Max Verstappen’s seventh different teammate in as many years when he joins Red Bull in 2026.

That is a truly alarming statistic and an indication of how difficult it has been for drivers to compete with the four-time champion in a car that is tailored to him. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have come and failed, and Hadjar is next in line.

🔢 Rank Max Verstappen’s five teammates since Daniel Ricciardo

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Initially, this move did not sit well with the 2025 rookie. Hadjar was ‘highly resistant’ to joining Red Bull, presumably due to the history of the second car and how drivers seemingly cannot adapt.

However, Hadjar recently changed his tune in a bid to show the team’s hierarchy that he could solve their problems with the second seat. His performances in 2025 would suggest that Red Bull have made the right call.

The Frenchman has regularly reached Q3 and scored points this season, beating Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda 12 times across the season. Sitting 10th in the standings, his maiden podium at Zandvoort sealed the deal, with Hadjar confirmed as a Red Bull driver on Tuesday.

Isack Hadjar summed up why Red Bull promoted him with his ‘outstanding’ Max Verstappen comments

The Dutch Grand Prix saw the rumours really ramp up that Hadjar was bound for Red Bull. He shared the podium with Verstappen that day, who finished P2 behind Oscar Piastri.

In the press conference after the race, both drivers were asked how they would feel about being teammates, which was, perhaps expectedly, met with sarcasm. Verstappen said: “Terrible. I’m joking!” before Hadjar added: “I don’t want to be next to Max. I don’t like him, that’s it.”

The Racing Bulls star then gave a more sincere answer: “Yeah, it feels great. Max is someone I’ve been looking up to since my go-kart days, and obviously, in the last five years, he’s been more than outstanding.

“So, to share the track and spend most of the race behind him and getting to be within two, three seconds the whole time and share my first podium with him, on his home soil as well, I think it’s pretty cool.”

These comments sum up exactly why Red Bull have promoted Hadjar. Firstly, the pair’s sarcastic responses at Zandvoort show they already have a strong relationship.

That is heightened by the Frenchman’s admiration for the four-time champion. His desire to compete with him and learn from him could give Red Bull the perfect partnership for the 2026 season.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

What Red Bull need to do for Isack Hadjar in 2026

Guenther Steiner says Hadjar can be ‘one of the greats’ at Red Bull. However, that claim will only come to fruition if the team can fix their issue with the second car.

No driver has come close to Verstappen in equal machinery in recent years, with the struggles being highlighted as extremely serious in 2025. After all, without the 28-year-old’s points, Red Bull would be ninth in the championship.

They need to find the right feeling for Hadjar from the RB22 if he is to be a success. The 2026 F1 regulations and the team’s new power unit presents a challenge for the Frenchman, but it seems that he will be properly supported.

Red Bull insiders will give Hadjar the ‘perfect’ time to adapt to the new car, something that was never afforded to the likes of Lawson. It would suggest that the team will address the problems with the second car to get the best out of their new driver.