Steiner Names Hadjar 'Rookie of the Year' Ahead of Red Bull Move

Guenther Steiner has declared Isack Hadjar his "rookie of the year," praising the French-Algerian driver's impressive resilience and performance throughout the season. Steiner highlighted Hadjar's ability to recover from a disastrous start in Australia and his consistent development without an experienced teammate as key factors. This strong endorsement comes as Hadjar prepares for a high-profile switch to Red Bull in 2026.

Why it matters:

Steiner's validation carries significant weight as Hadjar steps into one of the most high-pressure seats in F1 alongside Max Verstappen. Red Bull has long struggled to find a competitive teammate for their four-time champion, and Hadjar's praised adaptability and mental fortitude suggest he could be the candidate to finally provide a legitimate internal challenge. The 2026 regulation reset further levels the playing field, making his potential impact even greater.

The details:

• Hadjar finished 12th in the standings with 51 points, outscoring his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson (14th, 38 points) and securing a podium in Zandvoort.
• Steiner was particularly impressed by Hadjar's mental recovery after crashing on the formation lap in Australia, noting he was "back with his head on his shoulders" for the very next race.
• Learning Solo: Steiner argued that Hadjar's season was more impressive because he lacked an experienced reference driver after Yuki Tsunoda's promotion to Red Bull. "He had to do it all himself... he was on his own," Steiner explained, emphasizing the difficulty of finding a setup and learning tracks without a benchmark teammate.
• The 2026 Advantage: The move to Red Bull coincides with major new F1 regulations. Steiner believes this is crucial, as both Hadjar and Verstappen will start from zero with a brand-new car, removing the incumbent driver's typical knowledge advantage.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Hadjar as he transitions to the senior Red Bull team. While challenging Verstappen is a monumental task, Steiner expects the young driver to at least "keep the pressure on Max." Hadjar's 2026 performance will be a true test of his potential and could finally solve Red Bull's long-standing search for a competitive second driver.