Hadjar: 2026 Rules Make Red Bull Second Seat "Way Easier"

Isack Hadjar believes Formula 1’s massive rule changes for 2026 will make adapting to Red Bull Racing’s second car “way easier,” potentially eliminating the long-standing “second car problem” that has plagued Max Verstappen’s teammates. Hadjar, an impressive rookie, sees this regulatory reset as a fresh start.

Why it matters

Red Bull has consistently struggled to find a consistent long-term teammate for Max Verstappen. Sergio Pérez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda have all faced difficulties, leading to frequent driver changes and an ongoing search. Hadjar’s theory offers a new perspective on how future talents might succeed where others have faltered.

The big picture

Red Bull’s troubles with its second seat date back years, with drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Lawson, and Tsunoda all being rushed alongside Verstappen and struggling to adapt to the team's often unique car characteristics.

• Pérez's departure: Sergio Pérez recently left Red Bull after being paid out of his two-year contract, highlighting the team's persistent issues.
• Lawson and Tsunoda: Both Lawson and Tsunoda have had underwhelming stints, with Tsunoda currently holding the seat but not cementing his place.

Hadjar's view

After his first F1 podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, Hadjar openly targeted the 2026 Red Bull seat, admitting it's “obviously something that I have in mind” but he's “not in a rush” for talks. He believes the 2026 regulatory overhaul will create an entirely different environment:

• Fresh start: “’26 is a different question because it’s a brand new start for the team. There won’t be this talk of the second car thing.”
• Car development: With new cars and engines, drivers would be involved in directing the car’s development from scratch, rather than adapting to an established, Verstappen-optimized concept.
• Extensive testing: New rules will allow for a significantly more extensive pre-season program with private tests in January and February, giving new drivers more track time to get up to speed.

Between the lines

Historically, only Sergio Pérez truly benefited from a rules reset as Verstappen’s teammate, with the introduction of the 2022 cars giving him a clear boost. Hadjar is confident he can adapt to a car from a clean slate.

What's next

Hadjar needs to continue his impressive rookie season to solidify his claim for the 2026 Red Bull seat. While no direct conversations have occurred, he expects them to begin soon.