Jacques Villeneuve believes Red Bull just made a ‘perfect’ driver decision McLaren would never copy

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Red Bull were at the centre of the Formula 1 driver market talk in 2025 as Max Verstappen once again showed up two of his teammates.

Liam Lawson lasted just two races at Red Bull before being demoted back to Racing Bulls for the rest of the campaign.

Lawson has been told he’s keeping a seat warm at Racing Bulls in 2026, but his replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, fared even worse.

The 25-year-old will not be on the grid next year, as Red Bull couldn’t find a seat for him after a disappointing season alongside Max Verstappen.

Which Red Bull driver has been treated most harshly?

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The next driver tasked with racing alongside Verstappen is Isack Hadjar, who earned his step up after a brilliant rookie season.

Hadjar has been sent plenty of warnings about driving for Red Bull, but 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has praised the move.

So much so that he thinks Hadjar could thrive at Red Bull if he keeps up his current form, whereas he’s not sure the move would have worked as well if McLaren tried to replicate their rival’s decision-making.

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

Jacques Villeneuve thinks McLaren would never copy Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar decision

Villeneuve was speaking about the young Frenchman on the High Performance Podcast and said: “Hadjar was hit and miss, very aggressive, some crazy races.

“I mean, some races, wow, where did that come from? Then, some other races where he was behind Lawson.

“So if he can keep that special momentum going, and it was only his first season.

“So, if he keeps that momentum going, he’s in the perfect team. Red Bull, with his attitude, it works well.

“It probably wouldn’t have worked in a McLaren, for example. The approach is different. He’s a very spirited driver, very emotional. He’s cool, and he’s quick.

“He needs to always be in this top game.”

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

McLaren are facing a different type of driver crisis to Red Bull after 2025 fairness conundrum

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella will hope that he doesn’t have to think about promoting a driver like Hadjar into the team for some time.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are two of the strongest drivers on the grid, and either of them would be very difficult to replace.

Piastri has been linked with a move away, and McLaren aren’t in the strongest position to stop him.

A driver of the Australian’s calibre has every right to demand number one status, but then so does reigning drivers’ championship winner Lando Norris.

There have been suggestions that McLaren could change their papaya rules next year, but whether that will actually work is another matter.

Stella and Zak Brown have no interest in harming either of their drivers’ chances of winning a title, but ultimately, as Verstappen nearly proved this season, that can lead to disaster.

Hadjar will be desperate to prove he’s a level above Verstappen’s most recent teammates.

But if he gets too close to the Dutchman, then suddenly Red Bull might have to start looking at how McLaren handle their drivers to avoid any issues of their own.