How New 2026 Rules Could Help Hadjar Challenge Verstappen

Isack Hadjar is set to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026 after a strong rookie season. While facing the four-time champion is a monumental task, sweeping new regulations offer the French driver a unique opportunity to avoid the fate of previous teammates and be competitive from the outset.

Why it matters:

Red Bull hasn't had a genuine intra-team battle since Sergio Pérez's early 2022 form. Hadjar's performance will be a critical test of the team's driver development program and could define the competitive dynamic at the front of the grid for the new regulation era. A failure to perform would see him crushed, but a credible challenge would energize the entire team.

The details:

• Hadjar earned his seat by impressing in 2025, scoring points in 11 races and claiming a surprise podium at Zandvoort, despite a crash on his debut in Australia.
• The challenge is stark: his predecessor, Yuki Tsunoda, managed just 30 points last season while Verstappen battled for the title.
• The 2026 Reset: Unlike past teammates, Hadjar won't step into a car Verstappen has already mastered. New chassis and engine regulations mean both drivers start from a zero baseline.
  • This mirrors the 2022 season, where Pérez was able to run within three-tenths of Verstappen early on, securing his contract and playing a valuable team role.
• Adaptability is Key: Helmut Marko has praised Hadjar's 'Verstappen-like' ability to get up to speed quickly, even on unfamiliar tracks. This trait will be invaluable for learning the nuances of the radically different 2026 cars.

What's next:

The stars have aligned for Hadjar, but capitalizing on this opportunity is another matter. Verstappen's ruthless speed and experience remain formidable obstacles. If Hadjar can leverage his adaptability and stay within a few tenths of his teammate, he will have done his job and potentially set the stage for a compelling 2026 season.