Ralf Schumacher makes Isack Hadjar u-turn and identifies the ‘best time’ for Red Bull to promote him

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Since his podium finish behind Max Verstappen at the Dutch Grand Prix, the idea of Isack Hadjar partnering the Dutchman at Red Bull in the future has become an increasingly likely possibility.

Verstappen loves Hadjar’s approach to F1, noting the support that the 20-year-old has around him as being ‘exactly’ what you need to come into F1 at such a young age and succeed.

He has shown glimpses of his potential throughout his rookie season with Red Bull, with Hadjar impressing Jolyon Palmer with his qualifying pace that is a step above that of his teammate, Liam Lawson.

However, the case of the second Red Bull seat is a tricky one. For the majority of Verstappen’s stint at the team, his teammates have struggled to reach the same heights as him while at the wheel of the same machinery.

It has led many to wonder if a move for Hadjar to the team would be much of a promotion at all, given that both Racing Bulls cars have out-driven Yuki Tsunoda since he joined the Red Bull garage earlier this year.

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Ralf Schumacher thinks that the 2026 F1 regulations make for the perfect time to promote Isack Hadjar to Red Bull

Just a few weeks ago, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher told viewers of Sky Germany his opinion on Red Bull replacing Tsunoda with Hadjar, saying, “I hope they don’t put Isack Hadjar right next to Verstappen and burn him out there. That would be a big mistake. The boy also has great potential.”

The German pundit has now changed his tune and is all for the Austrian constructor making the swap ahead of the new F1 regulations that will come into effect next season.

Having been reminded of his previous comments, Schumacher replied, “I’ve been thinking about it too, and I was kind of leaning towards Nico [Rosberg]’s view of, don’t do it, leave him at Racing Bulls.

“The team deserved that [podium] and have a good chance of being successful next year if they can build on it. On the other hand, if you’re looking for someone strong to replace Max Verstappen, then next year is actually the best time for that person.

“Everything starts from scratch there, so anything can happen. That means even Max Verstappen, except for the people he knows, is starting from scratch. And I think that’s the best chance to get alongside him with the new car and have a little time to acclimatise.”

On the topic of a possible exit for the four-time world champion, Schumacher believes Ferrari to be a ‘good fit’ for Verstappen if he does decide to continue racing.

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Isack Hadjar can’t afford to let Red Bull ‘tailor’ the car around Max Verstappen

The reason for Schumacher’s quick change in opinion on when Red Bull should pull the trigger on Hadjar comes down to the recurring issue of the team’s cars being too centred around the driving style of Verstappen.

“Hadjar has the basic speed and, above all, I think he also has the nerves of steel,” Schumacher continued.

“He is relatively strong mentally, and then, because if you wait another two years, then Max might be gone, or if you wait a year, which Red Bull wouldn’t do, then the risk is great, because [Verstappen] will be used to the car again.

“He will have adjusted the car to suit himself; the whole team will naturally tailor the car to his preferences, and all that would be rather against it. So that’s why I have to change my opinion that I had a few weeks ago.”

He’s not the only one to have changed his mind on bringing the Frenchman into the fold at Red Bull sooner rather than later. Hadjar himself recently changed his mind on a Red Bull move, with the youngster stating that he is ready for anything.