Isack Hadjar has confidently rejected concerns that he will suffer the same fate as previous drivers occupying Red Bull’s second Formula 1 seat, which has often been seen as a stepping stone to demotion or even exit from the sport. Joining Red Bull as Max Verstappen’s team-mate, Hadjar is aware of the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about his future with the team.
Recent history shows that drivers in this position have struggled; Liam Lawson was recently moved back to the junior Racing Bulls team. However, Hadjar believes the introduction of the 2026 regulations could mark a turning point, as Red Bull shifts away from its earlier technical strategies, potentially offering a fresh start for both the team and its drivers.
Early Season Learning and Smooth Team Integration
Hadjar’s initial testing experiences have mirrored those of Pierre Gasly, who also crashed during Barcelona testing before joining the senior Red Bull team. Despite this rocky start, Hadjar expressed no fears of repeating Gasly’s struggles throughout the season.
“When I crashed, I thought about Pierre directly. I went on Twitter and I read everything. I was like, I’m screwed for the whole season. That’s how I moved on, honestly,”
he joked to Motorsport Week.
One factor that has helped Hadjar stay positive is his prior involvement with Red Bull’s driver program, facilitating an easy transition to the main team. He noted that working with familiar team members eased his adjustment.
“Yeah, exactly like that,” he said when asked about the move from Racing Bulls to Red Bull.
“Working with guys I met back when I signed for the programme, so, it made the move very easy.”
Setting Ambitious Goals for the 2026 Season
When asked about his goals, Hadjar sent a clear message that he is aiming high for the upcoming season and beyond. Rather than taking a cautious, race-by-race approach, he focused on milestone achievements that reflect his confidence.
“I think, obviously, that first race win is in the radar. That would be great,”
Hadjar confirmed, signaling his determination to make an impact quickly.
“I’d like to see our car progressing faster than the other teams, I think that would be also very enjoyable.”
Adapting to New Driving Demands of Future F1 Cars
Hadjar also discussed the distinct driving style required for the upcoming 2026 cars, which demand more frequent gear changes and greater use of first gear in corners. Instead of viewing these challenges as obstacles, he described his experience as surprisingly positive.
“Smooth,” he remarked about handling the additional downshifts.
“Actually, I’ve never spent so much time in my life pulling 1st gear, so it’s actually enjoyable.”
“You adapt to it naturally, it’s no big deal.”
With Hadjar’s focused attitude and early familiarity with Red Bull’s environment, his debut season offers a glimpse of promising talent ready to rise within F1, especially as the sport prepares for substantial regulatory changes that could reshape team dynamics and competitiveness.
