“I Have a Plan to Disappear” – Isack Hadjar Opens Up on ‘Annoying’ Reality of Life Alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull
Isack Hadjar has described his promotion to Red Bull as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but the 21-year-old has also been candid about the less glamorous side of becoming Max Verstappen’s team-mate — the intense media spotlight that comes with the role.
After a standout rookie season with Racing Bulls, Hadjar was fast-tracked into Red Bull’s senior Formula 1 team for the upcoming season, replacing Yuki Tsunoda and earning the daunting task of partnering four-time world champion Verstappen. For a driver barely into his twenties, the move represents both an extraordinary achievement and a steep learning curve.
Speaking in a select media interview shortly after his promotion was confirmed, Hadjar admitted the scale of the moment was still sinking in.
“It’s hard to realise,” he said. “It’s not just about joining Red Bull — it’s about being Max’s team-mate. That’s what really makes it special.”
Rather than being intimidated by Verstappen’s reputation as the sport’s dominant force, Hadjar views the situation as a rare educational experience.
“I’m very lucky,” he explained. “I’m only 21 and I get to see what the highest level in the world looks like. Being able to experience that so early in my career is incredible.”
Red Bull’s history of promoting young drivers into high-pressure environments is well documented, and the seat alongside Verstappen has proven unforgiving in recent years. Yet Hadjar appears focused on absorbing knowledge rather than worrying about comparisons.
Where his enthusiasm noticeably fades, however, is off the track.
Life as a Red Bull driver brings a dramatic increase in attention, and Hadjar has been open about his discomfort with the media obligations that now await him. Even during his time at Racing Bulls, the French-Algerian often appeared uneasy in interviews, preferring to keep a low profile.
Asked about dealing with the heightened exposure that comes with being Verstappen’s team-mate, Hadjar was blunt.
“It’s just annoying, if anything,” he said.
In typical dry fashion, he even joked about how he might avoid it altogether.
“I have a plan to disappear,” Hadjar quipped. “Wear a mask. I don’t know.”
Behind the humour lies a genuine challenge. Red Bull drivers are expected to be global ambassadors for the team and its sponsors, handling constant media duties while performing at the highest level on track. For a young driver still finding his feet in Formula 1, that balance can be difficult.
Despite this, Red Bull’s decision to promote Hadjar suggests strong confidence in both his ability and his mindset. The team has shown little hesitation in making tough calls in the past, and the Frenchman’s elevation signals belief that he can handle the pressure where others have struggled.
For Hadjar, the priority remains clear: learning from the best.
“Watching how Max works, how he prepares, how he drives — that’s priceless,” he said. “You don’t get that kind of opportunity very often.”
As the new season approaches, Hadjar will step into one of Formula 1’s most scrutinised seats. While the media glare may be an “annoying” side effect of his promotion, the chance to measure himself against Verstappen — and learn from him — is an opportunity he is determined not to waste.
