Red Bull Racing has made waves in the motorsport world with its decision to place Isack Hadjar beside Max Verstappen for the upcoming season, setting the stage for another high-stakes Max Verstappen teammate challenge. This controversial move has fueled debate among fans and insiders alike about whether Hadjar is adequately prepared to handle the intense pressure of racing alongside one of Formula 1’s most dominant competitors.
Red Bull Chooses Hadjar for 2026 Season
Announcing Isack Hadjar as the seventh driver to partner with Verstappen, Red Bull has sparked both excitement and concern across Formula 1. Hadjar, who only debuted in Formula 1 last year, is stepping in for Yuki Tsunoda, who has been moved to the reserve driver position for 2026. This change brings Hadjar into a team environment notorious for tough standards, especially for those sharing a garage with Verstappen, a four-time world champion. Notably, all but one of Verstappen’s teammates have struggled to cope with the challenges posed by the Dutch star.
Questions Over Readiness and Risk
Marcin Budkowski, former executive director at Alpine, has publicly questioned Red Bull’s wisdom in making this decision, calling it a significant gamble. Reflecting on Hadjar’s quick rise, Budkowski said,
“I think he deserves a chance,”
– Marcin Budkowski, former Alpine executive director. He further added,
“but we’ve seen Red Bull launch drivers into the main team very quickly. It worked with Max, but it hasn’t really worked well with anyone since then. That’s the big risk.”
– Marcin Budkowski, former Alpine executive director. This echoes broader anxieties regarding Red Bull’s aggressive driver promotion policies, which have sometimes resulted in promising talents being overwhelmed or failing to meet expectations.
Hadjar’s Breakthrough and Career So Far
Hadjar’s journey to the main Red Bull team has included dramatic ups and downs. His debut last season began on a low note with a crash during the formation lap in Australia. However, he rebounded impressively, regularly reaching Q3 in qualifying sessions and scoring points for the team. Hadjar achieved a major milestone at Zandvoort with a podium finish, earning recognition for his resilience and raw speed. His performances have built anticipation about whether he can sustain this form as Verstappen’s teammate, a role that has historically carried a daunting weight.
Challenges Await for New Partnership
Despite his clear potential and recent successes, the challenge facing Hadjar is immense. Budkowski noted that the real test would come with inevitable setbacks against Verstappen, remarking,
“We will only find that out next year when he starts to get beaten by Max,”
– Marcin Budkowski, former Alpine executive director. Bearing the tough standard set by previous teammates, Hadjar is expected to withstand intense scrutiny, both internally from Red Bull and externally from analysts and fans.
Implications for Red Bull and the F1 Paddock
The appointment of Hadjar has captivated figures across the motorsport world, including Sergio Perez, a previous Verstappen teammate, as well as Zak Brown and others invested in the wider driver market. Headlines involving Richard Verschoor’s own career moves and Kalle Rovanpera’s transition to single-seater racing further underline the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of F1 driver placements. Red Bull’s approach remains the subject of heated analysis, with many observers questioning whether its aggressive promotion strategy serves drivers or puts them at risk.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, all eyes are on Red Bull Racing and its new lineup. Isack Hadjar’s bid to survive the Max Verstappen teammate challenge will be a central storyline, potentially setting a precedent for future team decisions or, conversely, serving as a reminder of the pitfalls that come from rushing talent into high-pressure roles. The outcome will shape not just Hadjar’s career, but the broader philosophy of driver management in Formula 1’s relentlessly competitive world.
