Isack Hadjar faces one of the toughest tests in Formula 1 as he prepares to go head-to-head with Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing in 2026. Despite Hadjar’s promising rookie season that included a podium finish at Zandvoort, challenging Verstappen, who has dominated every teammate during his decade-long tenure at Red Bull, will require a significant mental shift to cope with the immense pressure and expectations.
The Difficulty of Matching Verstappen at Red Bull
Max Verstappen’s track record at Red Bull is formidable. Over ten years, the Dutchman has partnered with six drivers and consistently outperformed each of them. The only exception was in 2016 against Daniel Ricciardo; however, Verstappen did not join Red Bull until the fifth round of that season, which somewhat diminishes this exception.
Red Bull’s junior drivers have particularly struggled to keep pace with Verstappen. Pierre Gasly managed only half a season in 2019 before being replaced. Alex Albon, his subsequent teammate, was dropped after a challenging 2020. Liam Lawson’s stint was even briefer; he was demoted after two races in the 2025 season’s early rounds, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping in but failing to match Verstappen’s pace during their season together.
The new regulations entering 2026 reset much of the competitive landscape, but being Verstappen’s teammate leaves Hadjar exposed. Any dip in form will be glaringly visible, and the pressure to perform consistently will be relentless.
Lessons from Herbert’s Experience with Schumacher at Benetton
Johnny Herbert draws on his own experience competing alongside another dominant teammate, Michael Schumacher, during a one-and-a-half-year period at Benetton in the mid-1990s. Like Verstappen, Schumacher had a reputation for overshadowing his teammates. Despite Herbert’s promising background, building a reputation at Lotus and replacing the injured JJ Lehto, he found himself sidelined at Benetton.
Herbert faced restrictions such as limited testing and a lack of access to Schumacher’s telemetry data, which made it difficult to compete on equal footing. Even though he achieved two race wins in 1995, the situation was mentally taxing and discouraging, highlighting how challenging it is to adapt when paired with a dominant teammate.
Herbert’s Insight on Hadjar’s Mental Game Against Verstappen
Reflecting on Hadjar’s upcoming challenge, Herbert emphasizes the necessity of mental fortitude and adaptability. He recognizes that Hadjar started his rookie season with some setbacks but showed resilience in recovering from them.
“Isack Hadjar had that very tough start in Australia, but he was able to bounce back,”
said Herbert to Snabbare.
“He had a lot of pressure when he went into the RB team, and there are those expectations that those teams have. But this is to another level or five, where those expectations are there every single session of every single Grand Prix that you go into.”
Herbert continues by describing Hadjar’s character and what he must develop to thrive alongside Verstappen.
“He’s got a very nice way about him. He’s got a very soft side to him, but that’s got to toughen up. And that’s probably the biggest thing that he’s going to have to work on, because Max Verstappen is tough as boots and he’s tough as boots every single time you’re sitting in a room together, every time you’re doing a visit to a sponsor during a race weekend or even away for a race weekend.
Max has this powerful way of being the focus. You’ve got to try to take that focus away. Has he got that ability to do it? Yes, but we are talking about one of the very best, if not the best, that we’ve ever seen in Formula 1.
It’s a massive challenge for him, and it’s really down to him trying to take away the toolbox that Max has at the present time and throwing a few of those extra little tools into your own one. I think he’s got the talent to be able to do it.”
“But it’s when those expectations are so high where you don’t have time to really breathe, to relax, because it’s so intense. And it’s that intense side that we probably haven’t seen him under as much. This is a totally different world for him.”
The Stakes of the Verstappen vs Russell Rivalry Moving Forward
As the 2026 season approaches, speculation builds around a potential championship battle between Max Verstappen and George Russell. This rivalry promises to be compelling, with Hadjar’s personal contest against Verstappen overshadowing yet another heavyweight championship showdown.
Hadjar’s ability to withstand the pressure and adapt mentally will be critical not only for his development at Red Bull but also in defining the team’s dynamic and impact on the championship narrative. His success or struggles could influence Red Bull’s strategic decisions and driver market movements in the near future.
