Laurent Mekies reveals what Isack Hadjar is saying about Red Bull’s RB22 compared to Max Verstappen

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Laurent Mekies explained just how different the two drivers’ approaches to feedback about Red Bull’s cars are.

Mekies isn’t too concerned about Red Bull’s gap to Mercedes at this point, but it’s clear that both drivers find themselves frustrated with the state of the RB22.

Isack Hadjar’s frustration over his battle with Arvid Lindblad became clear during the Japanese Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen even contemplated retirement over the car.

Should Red Bull have given up on the 2025 title to prioritise 2026?

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Mekies believes Red Bull are paying the price this season for prioritising the improvements they made to the car last season.

There is no denying that Red Bull are working with both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar to improve the car. But both drivers are giving varying levels of input.

READ MORE: Laurent Mekies has already explained why losing Max Verstappen would hurt Red Bull so much

Laurent Mekies explains why Isack Hadjar’s feedback to Red Bull cannot be the ‘same’ as Max Verstappen

Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies addressed the differences between Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen’s approach to feedback.

He noted that Hadjar shouldn’t, and doesn’t go too in-depth with his feedback, given his lack of Formula One experience. On the other hand, Verstappen uses his vast knowledge and experience to guide the team.

“You cannot think that it is the same after 10 years in Formula One, four world titles, and your second year in Formula One, first year in the top team. It cannot be the same.

“They describe the car with their own words and describe the balance with the same discipline. Isack is trying to stick to his feeling of the car right now because that’s what he should be doing with relatively limited experience.

“While Max, after all these years and all his success, is very often trying to go to the next step in helping us, linking what he feels with what he thinks may be the reason for the car.”

READ MORE: Red Bull employees are starting to wonder whether they were ‘better’ off under Christian Horner

How much would Formula 1 suffer without Max Verstappen?

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How ‘unbeatable’ Max Verstappen sets standards for future Red Bull drivers

Speaking further on the podcast, Laurent Mekies revealed how Max Verstappen’s discipline as a driver goes beyond the track, as he sets an example as a leader of the team in every aspect.

“Max is unbeatable at everything he does… If you ask him to come to a marketing event or a sponsor event, he will do it with the same discipline and dedication that he does everything.

“He knows it’s important. He knows it’s part of the job. He knows there is a bigger picture behind the emotion he has at that moment.

“And he’s going to give the best version of himself in all the circumstances. I can only imagine that he’s able to do that because he has that mental discipline that allows him to perform.”

There was hope that Isack Hadjar could overcome Red Bull’s second-seat curse at the start of the season. While he hasn’t been performing poorly, he hasn’t met those expectations yet.

And given the concern about Verstappen’s potential retirement, drivers like Hadjar will need to adapt on the track and take on the mantle of team leader in very little time.