Max Verstappen’s team-mate already admits ‘annoyance’ over Red Bull M…read more
Max Verstappen’s incoming Red Bull team-mate, Isack Hadjar, has admitted that the spotlight surrounding his promotion is already beginning to grate on him, as the Frenchman prepares for one of the most demanding roles in Formula 1.
Hadjar, who has emerged as one of the standout rookies of the 2025 season, will step up to become Verstappen’s team-mate in 2026, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. While the promotion marks a major milestone in his career, the 20-year-old has been candid about the less glamorous side of joining one of F1’s biggest teams: the intense scrutiny that comes with it.
Speaking to media during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, Hadjar was asked whether he felt comfortable with the heightened attention that accompanies a seat at Red Bull Racing. His answer was refreshingly blunt.
“No,” he said. “It’s just annoying, if anything.”
Hadjar went on to joke about how he might cope with the sudden surge in interest around his life and career, suggesting humorously that disappearing from view might be his best option. “I’ll have a plan to disappear,” he said with a smile. “Wear a mask, I don’t know.”
Despite his light-hearted tone, Hadjar’s comments underline the reality facing any driver who lines up alongside Verstappen. Red Bull is one of the most high-profile teams in the sport, and Verstappen himself is the dominant force of the current era. As a result, whoever partners the four-time world champion inevitably finds themselves under a microscope.
Hadjar’s rise through the Red Bull system has been rapid. During the 2025 season, he impressed with a series of mature and aggressive performances, including a breakthrough podium finish at Zandvoort. Over the course of the year, he consistently outperformed fellow Red Bull-affiliated drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, ultimately establishing himself as the second-strongest driver in the wider Red Bull pool behind Verstappen.
Given those results, his promotion for 2026 came as little surprise. Red Bull has never been shy about rewarding performance, particularly when it comes to drivers developed within its junior programme. However, history suggests that raw speed alone is rarely enough to guarantee long-term success alongside Verstappen.
The Dutchman has earned a fearsome reputation as a “team-mate killer,” a label born from the number of drivers who have struggled or fallen by the wayside when paired with him. Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon were both promoted and then demoted after failing to match Verstappen’s pace. Sergio Perez lasted longer but ultimately succumbed to inconsistency and pressure, while Lawson and now Tsunoda have also been unable to secure lasting success in the second Red Bull seat.
Tsunoda’s own demotion underlines the ruthless nature of Red Bull’s driver management. After being replaced by Hadjar, the Japanese driver will move into a test and reserve role, making him the fourth driver in just two years to be cycled through Red Bull’s senior team structure. It is a statistic that highlights both the opportunity and the risk that come with a Red Bull promotion.
For Hadjar, the challenge will be twofold. On track, he must adapt quickly to a team built around Verstappen, often requiring a driving style and feedback approach tailored to the reigning champion’s preferences. Off track, he must learn to navigate the relentless attention from media, fans, and commentators eager to judge whether he can succeed where others have failed.
While his admission of annoyance may seem unusual for a young driver stepping into the spotlight, it also suggests a level of self-awareness. Hadjar appears keen to keep his focus on racing rather than being swept up in the hype that often surrounds Red Bull drivers before they have even turned a wheel.
Whether that mindset will help him survive — and thrive — at Red Bull remains to be seen. What is certain is that expectations will be high from the moment he joins the team. In an environment shaped by Verstappen’s dominance and Red Bull’s unforgiving standards, Hadjar’s talent, resilience, and ability to handle pressure will all be tested to the limit.
As Formula 1 heads toward the 2026 season, the question is not just whether Isack Hadjar is fast enough for Red Bull, but whether he can withstand the glare that comes with being Max Verstappen’s next team-mate.
