Red Bull already know ‘perils’ that ‘underrated’ Isack Hadjar may face as Max Verstappen’s teammate

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Red Bull are yet to decide who will be partnering Max Verstappen at the works team next season, but are aware of the ‘potential perils’ that Isack Hadjar may face during the upcoming campaign as the leading candidate.

The Frenchman has had a glittering maiden season in Formula 1 this year with Racing Bulls, with his podium at the Dutch GP in August standing out as the highlight of his year thus far.

The third-place result for Hadjar marked the first top-three finish for the Faenza-based constructor since Pierre Gasly secured the same result at the dramatic 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix under the AlphaTauri brand.

Leadership figures at Red Bull are currently enamoured with the youngster, who turned 21 years old at the end of September.

Helmut Marko has dropped several hints regarding Hadjar’s potential promotion to the Austrian constructor throughout his rookie season.

READ MORE: Helmut Marko says Isack Hadjar did something at the Singapore Grand Prix that reminded him of Max Verstappen

Red Bull are aware of the ‘potential perils’ that Isack Hadjar faces alongside Max Verstappen next season

According to a report by Motorsport.com, Red Bull are already aware of the ‘potential perils’ that could hinder Hadjar during 2026 if he is successful in his attempts to move up to the frontrunning team.

The verdict comes after the report notes that the Frenchman ‘surprised’ many figures within the Red Bull stable, and was viewed in an ‘underrated’ light before his impressive debut season commenced.

The hesitancy over the readiness of the 21-year-old heading into the 2025 season is in line with Christian Horner’s verdict of Hadjar in pre-season.

The former Red Bull team principal wasn’t originally planning on giving him an F1 seat at Racing Bulls.

F1’s new 2026 regulations could prove to be the biggest thorn in the 39-point F1 driver’s side if he does make the step up.

Despite it being a perfect time to introduce a new driver alongside Verstappen due to the fact that they will both be driving cars with a brand new spec, the report states that ‘resources will naturally coalesce’ around the Dutchman if Red Bull start F1’s new era on the back foot.

The report ends by describing Hadjar’s chances of being a works Red Bull driver next season as ‘very likely’, with a decision tipped to be made after the Mexican Grand Prix at the end of October.

READ MORE: Helmut Marko left ‘extremely impressed’ by one thing Isack Hadjar does at every new F1 circuit

Red Bull have admitted that their second car is the problem, but Isack Hadjar still needs to improve in some areas

Red Bull have finally admitted that Tsunoda hasn’t been the entire reason behind his struggles alongside Verstappen this year, following his replacement of Liam Lawson at the team ahead of the third round of the season in Japan.

The Japanese driver is experiencing one of the worst seasons of his F1 career, despite spending the majority of the year in frontrunning Red Bull machinery.

The Austrian constructor have been prioritising Verstappen’s car in an attempt to aid the Dutchman in the fifth defence of his world title, to which he currently has half a chance of clinching.

Marko has identified areas where Hadjar needs to improve, which could help the Frenchman in securing an equal share of opportunities at the team if he is successful in clinching the seat that has proved to be a difficult one to wrangle in recent years.