Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has expressed his opinion on who would make the ideal Max Verstappen Red Bull teammate for the 2026 season. Herbert believes Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto is perfectly suited to join Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, based in Milton Keynes. Highlighting Bortoleto’s recent successes and strong support system, Herbert sees him as the right fit for the demanding side-by-side competition alongside the Dutch world champion.
The 61-year-old former race steward noted Bortoleto’s accomplishments in winning back-to-back championships in Formula 3 and Formula 2, signaling his readiness for a major team role. An important factor Herbert emphasized is Bortoleto’s relationship with Fernando Alonso, who acts as both mentor and manager. This connection, Herbert suggests, would help Bortoleto adjust to the intense environment at Red Bull Racing more smoothly than other candidates.
“I would give the Red Bull seat next to Verstappen to Bortoleto. He won consecutively F3 and F2, but the aspect that really makes the difference is that he has [Fernando] Alonso as a manager and mentor. The Spaniard can give him that something extra to continue improving, while Isack Hadjar has to get by on his own,” Herbert stated as per Motorsport.
Red Bull’s recent struggles in selecting Verstappen’s teammate
The question of who will join Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull Racing seat has been heavily debated in recent seasons. Throughout the 2025 campaign, the team trialed drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in this role, yet neither delivered the consistent performances expected by the Austrian-based team management. Both drivers fell short of demonstrating the level required to thrive alongside Verstappen.
Liam Lawson, in particular, did not manage to produce significant results during his short tenure, while Yuki Tsunoda’s performance has been modest. Tsunoda, who is currently Verstappen’s teammate, has only reached points-paying finishes in four of the 14 races he has completed with the multi-time champion, highlighting ongoing challenges in meeting the team’s high standards.
Helmut Marko offers views on Verstappen’s potential teammate for 2026
Helmut Marko, a key advisor for Red Bull Racing, has also contributed to the discussion regarding Verstappen’s future teammate. Speaking with Austrian media outlet Kleine Zeitung, Marko suggested the possibility of promoting Isack Hadjar to partner Verstappen. Marko praised Hadjar’s strong mentality and rapid development during his rookie season, highlighting the young driver’s ability to quickly adapt and avoid errors.
“He’s a funny guy who never blames the car, but always only himself. He also doesn’t make mistakes, which is really surprising for a new driver. He improves on every track and is fully involved after a few laps, regardless of whether he’s driven there before. He’s a really fast guy coming along.”
“He certainly has the mental strength to hold his own against Verstappen. Fundamentally, we want to stick with our driver pool when it comes to the cockpits for 2026. If a super talent emerges, we won’t turn a blind eye, of course, but that’s not the case at the moment.”
Isack Hadjar’s position on joining Red Bull with Verstappen
Isack Hadjar has remained cautious about the possibility of becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing. While the French driver has not committed to this prospect, he did not completely dismiss the opportunity during discussions around the Italian Grand Prix weekend. Hadjar acknowledged the potential to partner with the 27-year-old Verstappen in the 2026 season but has kept his expectations measured.
Looking ahead: The significance of the 2026 teammate choice for Red Bull
The decision over who will partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026 carries considerable weight for the team’s future success. Selecting the right teammate will be crucial in maintaining Red Bull’s competitive edge as Verstappen continues to pursue further championships. The debates involving Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, and other prospects reflect Red Bull’s desire to find a driver who can complement Verstappen’s talent and uphold the organization’s high standards. Fernando Alonso’s mentorship of Bortoleto and Hadjar’s promising rookie form add compelling dimensions to the ongoing evaluation process.
