Isack Hadjar has openly shared the personal challenges he faced after being promoted to the second seat at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the 2026 Formula 1® season. Taking over from Yuki Tsunoda, Hadjar stepped into a role shadowed by the high standards set by Max Verstappen and the mixed results of previous teammates.
Hadjar admitted to feeling "doubt and pressure" when joining Red Bull Racing, aware of the difficulties drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez encountered in matching Verstappen’s pace. Despite these concerns, Hadjar has shown encouraging signs during the season, with his best finish being fourth place at the Monaco Grand Prix. Additionally, his recovery drive from the back of the grid to sixth place in Belgium was praised by Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies as Hadjar’s "best race" with the team so far.
While the start of the season presented challenges, Hadjar noted that improved car reliability and performance have helped him find greater consistency in recent races. He described the Red Bull car as consistent but acknowledged that the team still faces a competitiveness gap compared to rivals Ferrari and Mercedes. Hadjar is focused on enhancing his race management skills, recognizing that Verstappen’s ability in this area remains superior.
At 21 years old and in only his second season in the championship, Hadjar is aiming to build on his recent progress and contend for podium finishes. His reflections highlight the pressure that comes with driving alongside a multiple world champion like Verstappen, as well as the ongoing development within the team to close the gap to the leading manufacturers.
Laurent Mekies’ assessment of Hadjar’s performance underscores the French driver’s potential and resilience amid the demanding environment at Red Bull Racing. As the season continues, Hadjar’s focus remains on consistency and racecraft improvement to better match the pace and strategic acumen of his teammate.
Hadjar’s experience illustrates the challenges young drivers face when stepping into top-tier seats in Formula 1®. His candidness about the pressure and his steady progress provide insight into the dynamics within one of the sport’s leading teams during the 2026 campaign.
