Villeneuve: Hadjar Being Prepared to Be Verstappen's Red Bull Teammate by 2026

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 world champion, is convinced that Isack Hadjar is already being groomed to join Red Bull as Max Verstappen's teammate by 2026.

Why it matters:

This speculation comes after Hadjar's impressive display at Zandvoort, where he qualified fourth and secured a podium finish following Lando Norris's retirement. Villeneuve's strong assertion, made on the Sky F1 Show podcast, highlights a potential shift in Red Bull's driver lineup strategy.

The details:

Villeneuve firmly believes Hadjar is on a clear path to Red Bull, stating: "He is heading to Red Bull. There's no doubt there. There's no other way to spin it. He is being prepared for Red Bull. He was put there by Helmut Marko to see how he would cope with F1."

He added that Hadjar has performed better than other Red Bull juniors and possesses the "extravagant attitude" that Red Bull favors.

Key points from Villeneuve's analysis:

• Hadjar's ability to thrive under pressure, unlike some other junior drivers who "collapse."
• His personality perfectly aligns with Red Bull's preference for unconventional drivers.
• Villeneuve suggests Hadjar might not suit teams requiring a "cleaner cut" image, such as Sauber, Haas, or Ferrari, reinforcing his compatibility with Red Bull.

What's next:

If Villeneuve's prediction holds true, Hadjar's potential move would signify a significant vote of confidence from Helmut Marko and Red Bull, setting the stage for an intriguing partnership alongside the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen.