Isack Hadjar's Key to Red Bull Success: Accepting Max Verstappen's Superiority

Isack Hadjar is approaching his 2026 promotion to Red Bull Racing with a unique and pragmatic mindset: accepting that he will likely be slower than his legendary teammate, Max Verstappen, at the start. The French driver, who earned the seat after an impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls, believes this acceptance of reality is crucial to avoiding the mental pitfalls that have derailed previous occupants of the second Red Bull seat.

Why it matters:

The second seat at Red Bull has become one of the most challenging positions in Formula 1, with a history of talented drivers struggling under the pressure of being Verstappen's teammate. Hadjar's conscious strategy to manage expectations from day one represents a novel psychological approach to a problem that has persisted for years. His success or failure could define the team's long-term driver lineup strategy and influence how future teammates approach partnering with a dominant figure.

The Details:

• Hadjar's promotion comes after a standout 2025 season where he secured his first podium at Zandvoort and was a consistent points scorer, convincing Red Bull he was ready for the step up.
• He views the 2026 regulatory reset as a critical advantage, noting that both he and Verstappen will start from scratch with a completely new car, eliminating any built-in familiarity gap.
• The 21-year-old driver is openly preparing for initial frustration, setting a goal to accept being slower for the first month while he analyzes data and learns from the benchmark Verstappen sets.
• Hadjar dismisses the idea that new regulations might not suit Verstappen, stating the Dutchman "doesn't have a driving style. He adapts to what he's given."
• He is keenly aware of the "snowball effect" where drivers arrive confident, get outperformed, and then mentally crumble, citing predecessors like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.

The Big Picture:

Hadjar's self-critical nature, often evident in his post-session comments, may be a key trait Red Bull identified. While some might view his pre-emptive acceptance of Verstappen's speed as defeatist, he frames it as a realistic foundation for growth. His plan is to avoid immediate comparison, build steadily, and focus on integrating with the team and extracting performance from the new car, rather than trying to match the reigning champion from the first test.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the dynamic within Red Bull when pre-season testing begins for the 2026 season. Hadjar's pragmatic approach will face its first real test under the glare of the spotlight and the relentless pace of Verstappen. If he can stick to his plan, manage the inevitable early setbacks, and show progressive improvement, he may break the cycle of short-lived tenures in the seat and establish himself as a long-term fixture for the team.