French driver Isack Hadjar is preparing for what could be the most demanding phase of his racing career after a strong debut season alongside Liam Lawson with Racing Bulls. Having never stayed more than one season with the same team in any series so far, Hadjar is set to continue this pattern as he steps up to become Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull in 2026. This appointment places Hadjar under intense pressure, but it also offers him invaluable chances to prove his capabilities within Formula 1’s top team.
Hadjar’s rookie season included a podium finish at Zandvoort and an impressive qualifying record that beat all drivers outside the leading four teams. His performances have drawn both attention and expectations regarding how he will fare in a highly competitive environment at Red Bull, especially given the history of teammates struggling to secure their seats beyond a single year.
Examining Hadjar’s prospects compared to previous Red Bull teammates
The Red Bull seat has often proved difficult to hold for drivers other than Verstappen. Yuki Tsunoda, despite reaching 100 race starts, was not retained for a second season alongside Verstappen, while Liam Lawson encountered challenges with car performance during the Chinese Grand Prix, as revealed through his team radio communications.
Felipe Massa, former Ferrari and Williams driver, analyzed Hadjar’s upcoming challenge and believes the Frenchman can succeed where Tsunoda and Lawson could not. Massa emphasized that the evolving Formula 1 regulations might favor Hadjar, altering the dynamics within Red Bull which previously made it difficult for Verstappen’s teammates to match his performance level.
Massa highlights regulatory changes as a key factor in Hadjar’s potential success
In an interview with RMC Sport via Instagram, Felipe Massa praised Hadjar’s progress last season and outlined why this year could be different for the young driver. Massa noted,
“I think he impressed everyone last year. He had a fantastic year, learning and showing a very good performance in many races. Today, he has an amazing opportunity. Going to the most important team in Red Bull.”
He acknowledged the significant pressure Hadjar faces, having to compete directly with Verstappen, one of the sport’s most dominant figures. However, Massa encouraged a focus on ongoing development and learning to reach high potential rather than immediate results.
Regarding the changing rules in Formula 1, Massa explained,
“And I think maybe he moved to Red Bull in the right year because now all the rules are different, everything is different. So, the way you need to drive the car is different, so maybe it won’t be the same Red Bull that they had in the last years, where the second driver, the teammate, couldn’t drive the car like Max.”
So, I think now is maybe a good opportunity for Hadjar to have a car that is not so complicated like they had in the last years.
— Felipe Massa, former F1 driver
Hadjar’s initial Red Bull testing shows promise despite a setback
Hadjar recently completed a shakedown of his new Red Bull car at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, running on multiple days, though the testing was conducted behind closed doors. Despite a significant crash in wet conditions—recalling Pierre Gasly’s early struggles after his own promotion—Hadjar described the overall sessions as productive with few issues.
Reflecting on the test, Hadjar said,
“Everything went pretty smoothly. We had only minor issues, so it’s quite impressive considering it’s our first day with our own engine, so that was definitely smooth.”
If Hadjar can maintain this momentum during the critical pre-season testing in Bahrain and deliver a strong start at the Australian Grand Prix, any early difficulties should be quickly overcome. Verstappen’s own period of adaptation to the new car might also provide Hadjar more time to narrow the performance gap, a luxury not afforded to Lawson who has had to consistently fight just to secure his place beyond the 2026 season.
The challenge ahead for Liam Lawson and Red Bull’s driver dynamics
Liam Lawson faces uncertainty as he continues to battle issues related to car adaptability and consistency. His struggles highlight the harsh nature of Formula 1, where even highly talented drivers risk losing their seat if they cannot compete strongly against their teammates or show sufficient performance improvements.
Hadjar’s promotion to Red Bull underlines the team’s search for a reliable partner to Verstappen, especially in light of the shifting technical landscape in F1. This evolving environment might allow a new driver to make a mark more readily than in previous years, but the pressure and scrutiny will remain intense.
How Hadjar navigates these challenges during the upcoming season will be crucial, not only for his own career trajectory but also for Red Bull’s continued dominance in Formula 1. His performance will be closely watched, particularly given Felipe Massa’s expectation that 2026 offers a more favorable opportunity than seasons past for the second driver to compete effectively.
