Why Being Max Verstappen's Teammate Is F1's Toughest Job

Isack Hadjar is set to become the seventh driver to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull, stepping into one of the most high-pressure roles in modern Formula 1. He faces a daunting history where most of his predecessors have struggled to match the triple world champion's pace and have ultimately been shown the door. The challenge extends beyond raw speed, requiring a mental fortitude to thrive alongside a driver who has redefined the team's competitive benchmark.

Why it matters:

The performance of Verstappen's teammate is a critical indicator of Red Bull's overall health and driver development program. A strong second driver can secure valuable constructors' championship points and challenge for wins, but a string of failed partnerships raises questions about the team's environment and its ability to nurture talent alongside its undisputed number one. Hadjar's performance will be a key test of Red Bull's support structure beyond Verstappen.

The details:

A look back at Verstappen's six former teammates reveals a brutal pattern of high expectations and often, disappointing results.

• The Benchmark: Daniel Ricciardo (2016-2018)

  • Remains the most successful partner, with 5 wins and 22 podiums.
  • The only driver to out-score Verstappen across multiple seasons.
  • Even as Verstappen's star rose, Ricciardo remained competitive, ultimately choosing to leave for Renault rather than continue the internal battle.

• The Longest-Serving: Sergio Perez (2021-2024)

  • His four-year stint is the longest, delivering 5 wins and 24 podiums.
  • Crucial in the 2021 title fight, but his form collapsed dramatically in 2024, scoring just 49 points in the final 18 races before being dropped.

• The Strugglers: Gasly, Albon, Tsunoda, Lawson

  • Pierre Gasly (2019): His 12-race stint was a disaster, with a qualifying deficit of 0.890s to Verstappen. His subsequent revival at Alpine highlights the immense pressure at Red Bull.
  • Alex Albon (2020): Managed 2 podiums but was consistently out-qualified, with an average gap of 0.494s.
  • Yuki Tsunoda (2025): Scored just 33 points across 22 races after his mid-season promotion, finishing 17th in the standings.
  • Liam Lawson (2025): A two-race cameo provided insufficient data before he was demoted back to the junior team.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Hadjar as he begins his Red Bull tenure. Unlike some predecessors, he joins a team that is no longer the dominant force it was in 2023, which could alter the dynamic. His task is twofold: prove his speed on track and demonstrate the psychological resilience required to survive in the Verstappen era. Whether he can rise to the challenge or become the next name on a long list of former teammates will be one of the defining storylines of the season.