Hinchcliffe questions if Hadjar can break Red Bull's second driver curse

F1 TV presenter and former driver James Hinchcliffe has questioned whether new Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar can finally end the team's notorious struggle to find a consistent performer alongside Max Verstappen. Hinchcliffe suggests that the departure of legendary designer Adrian Newey and a new set of technical regulations for 2026 could create a unique opportunity for the young French-Algerian driver to close the gap to his dominant teammate.

Why it matters:

The second seat at Red Bull Racing has been a revolving door of talent since Daniel Ricciardo's departure, with drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda all struggling to match Verstappen's relentless pace. Finding a stable, competitive partner is crucial for the team's constructors' championship ambitions and long-term strategy. Hadjar's potential success or failure will be a major storyline as Red Bull enters a new technical era without its design mastermind.

The details:

• Hinchcliffe, speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, highlighted the unique circumstances surrounding Hadjar's promotion. He pointed out that while Red Bull has cycled through teammates across different rule sets, the 2026 season represents the first car not directly influenced by Adrian Newey's philosophy.
• He referenced David Coulthard's insight into Newey's design approach, which prioritized ultimate car speed over driver comfort, famously telling drivers, "This is the fastest way to build a car, you figure out how to drive it."
• Hinchcliffe theorized that without Newey, Red Bull's engineering team might prioritize building a more forgiving and drivable car, even if it sacrifices a fraction of ultimate pace. This shift could benefit a new driver like Hadjar.
• The analyst cautioned that any perceived closing of the gap to Verstappen might be attributed to this car philosophy change rather than solely Hadjar's own performance, creating a complex narrative for his rookie season.

What's next:

Hadjar faces immense pressure stepping into the most scrutinized seat on the grid. His performance will be measured against the highest standard in the sport. While Hinchcliffe acknowledges his "phenomenal talent," the true test begins at the season opener in Melbourne. The 2026 season, with its clean-sheet regulations, offers perhaps the best chance any new teammate has had to compete with Verstappen, making Hadjar's adaptation a critical subplot for Red Bull's future.