Hill outlines best-case scenario for Hadjar as Verstappen's Red Bull teammate

According to 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, the best outcome for Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen's new Red Bull teammate would be earning a 'pat on the head' from the reigning champion and acknowledgment from the team that he did all he could in a supporting role. Hill suggests navigating this dynamic without 'upsetting the apple cart' will be Hadjar's primary challenge as he steps up from Racing Bulls.

Why it matters:

The second seat at Red Bull has been a notoriously difficult position, with a string of drivers struggling to match Verstappen's performance or fit the team's specific supporting role. Hadjar's approach could determine not only his own future but also the team's internal harmony and its Constructors' Championship ambitions. His success or failure will be a key narrative in the 2026 season.

The details:

• Hill and co-commentator Johnny Herbert, speaking on the Stay on Track podcast, agreed Hadjar has earned his promotion through a consistent and surprising rookie season with Racing Bulls in 2025.
• Herbert highlighted Hadjar's work ethic and his ability to provide clear technical feedback to engineers as key strengths he can bring to the senior team.
• Hill pointed to Hadjar's engaging personality as an asset, describing him as "expressive without being abusive" and noting his enthusiastic radio messages help motivate the team.
• The central dilemma for Hadjar, as outlined by Hill, is accepting a clear number-two role to support Verstappen's title bid while somehow positioning himself for a future championship opportunity elsewhere.
• Hill questioned whether a driver can be considered true "World Championship material" if he willingly accepts a secondary role, posing a philosophical challenge for the young Frenchman.

What's next:

Hadjar has already publicly accepted that working alongside Verstappen will be "very frustrating" initially, aligning with the mindset Hill described. His performance will be scrutinized from the first race, with the key metric being his ability to score consistent points for the Constructors' Championship while avoiding intra-team conflict. How he manages this balancing act will define his first year at Red Bull and set the trajectory for the next phase of his career.