It's the promotion everyone was waiting for, but few dared predict with such certainty. At the start of 2026, Isack Hadjar officially takes his place in the most coveted – and most dangerous – seat in Formula 1: that of Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull Racing. At just 21 years old, the Franco-Algerian succeeds Yuki Tsunoda with a heavy burden to bear: that of Max's "clone."
At Red BullPromotions are never gifts. They're survival tests. And this time, it's Isaac Hadjar, 21 years old, who will be thrown into the arena alongside the most ruthless driver of his generation: Max Verstappen.
After a remarkable first season with Racing Bulls, Hadjar received what many consider a blessing… and what recent history describes more as a curse: the second Red Bull seat. Yuki Tsunoda Sacrificed, the door opens. But behind it, the trap closes.
Before going any further, a reminder is necessary. The bucket seat that... Hadjar has already crushed: Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Pérez, Liam Lawson and, therefore, Yuki Tsunoda.
All fast. All talented. All outclassed, stifled, or marginalized by Verstappen. Red Bull It does not forgive weakness, but it also does not tolerate shadows.
And yet, despite this bloody past, Peter Bayer dares to utter the chilling phrase: "Sometimes, and I know we shouldn't compare, But honestly, he reminds me of Max "A dangerous comparison. Almost provocative."
Bayerwho worked closely with Hadjar Throughout the season, he doesn't talk about lap times. He talks about attitude. About mentality. About that unhealthy obsession with racing that characterizes Verstappen since its inception.
« Isack Hadjar is one of the hardest-working pilots I've ever seen. »
« He moved to Faenza to be near the engineersNo bling. No storytelling. Just hard work. And this impression it leaves: "He is one of the hardest-working pilots I have ever seen." ».
Bayer recounts a revealing scene: He does one free practice session, and afterwards he says: “Peter, I want to go straight to qualifying. I can’t wait to race.” »
This sentence, at Red BullIt does not go unnoticed. It is reminiscent of this Verstappen A teenager who wanted neither to learn nor to observe, but to attack immediately. This is his worldThe race, the hard work, the concentration »
Exactly the profile that Red Bull adores… and that can trigger an internal war. The trajectory of Hadjar Yet it's far from a slick fairy tale. His season began in chaos, with an accident during the formation lap in Australia. Many would have crumbled. He grew stronger.
« I'm glad he experienced those moments., " explain Bayer that holds the top spot. " He wouldn't be human without that. But his progress has been impressive. »
Ambitious. Focused. Disciplined. Three words that describe a future champion… or one burned out by the machine Red Bull.
The trap is not only Max VerstappenThe trap is the Red Bull team itself. If Hadjar If it's too far away: it's over. If it's too close: it becomes a threat. And Red Bull doesn't like unstable balances.
The flattering comparison of Bayer is a poisoned gift. She places Hadjar Under the spotlight from the very first Grand Prix. Every radio, every qualifying session, every gap will be read through a prism: “What if this is the next Max?”
Unlike many before him, Isack Hadjar He doesn't arrive intimidated. He arrives with a raw mentality, almost oblivious to danger. And sometimes, that's exactly what it takes to survive in the face of Verstappen.
But one thing is certain: at Red BullYou never compare two pilots F1 for no reason. Either way. Hadjar will confirm that he is different. Or he will join the list. In either case, the spectacle will be brutal.
