Montoya: Hadjar Promotion Poses Red Bull a 2026 Dilemma Amid Verstappen's Influence

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Isack Hadjar's potential promotion to Red Bull Racing could create an interesting dilemma for the team in the 2026 season.

Why it matters

Hadjar, a Racing Bulls rookie, recently secured his first F1 podium in Zandvoort, finishing third. His strong performance brings him into consideration for a future Red Bull seat, which could force the team to re-evaluate its car development strategy.

The dilemma

Montoya suggests Red Bull faces a crucial decision regarding car design philosophy for the 2026 regulations:

• Max Verstappen's influence: Verstappen has committed to Red Bull through 2026 but emphasizes his desire to drive for a winning team. Historically, Red Bull has tailored the car to his preferences.
• Building for the future: If Hadjar is seen as the 'next guy,' Red Bull might need to develop a more 'generic' car, or one that caters to a broader range of driving styles, to support him long-term. This would contrast with their past approach.

"Do we just go on Max's way again or do we go generic?" Montoya questioned on F1 TV's Weekend Warm-Up, highlighting the potential conflict.

The precedent

Montoya pointed to Sergio Pérez's experience as a cautionary tale.

• Pérez initially performed well with a neutral car at the start of a season.
• However, once the car was adjusted to suit Verstappen's preferences, Pérez's performance significantly declined.

"As soon as they change the car to Max and get Max more comfortable, Checo was never seen again. That's the hard reality," Montoya concluded, underscoring the dominance of Verstappen's setup preferences within the team.