Former Formula 1 driver Derek Daly has issued a significant caution to Red Bull Racing about the way it manages and supports Isack Hadjar as he prepares to step up to a full-time seat with the senior Red Bull team in 2026. Daly warned that if Red Bull mishandles the transition, it could end up repeating what may be one of the team’s biggest mistakes in recent years — failing to nurture and properly support a promising young driver placed alongside a dominant lead racer.
Hadjar, a French driver who enjoyed a strong rookie season with Red Bull’s junior squad Racing Bulls in 2025, has been confirmed to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2026 season. This move comes after just a single full year of experience in Formula 1 — a rapid progression that has drawn both excitement and concern from experts and observers.
Daly’s main argument centers around the significant psychological and competitive challenge that awaits Hadjar. Red Bull’s history of struggles with drivers paired alongside Verstappen is well documented; in recent seasons, team-mates have consistently found themselves outpaced and overshadowed by the Dutch World Champion, not only in performance but also in confidence and momentum.
Historical Pattern: The Second Seat Struggle
There is a pattern at Red Bull where drivers in the number two seat alongside Verstappen have struggled to make a mark. Red Bull’s cars are typically developed with Verstappen’s driving style as the priority, and this often leaves team-mates with machinery tailored more to one driver than the other. This dynamic has repeatedly put significant pressure on whoever sits beside Verstappen, creating an environment where even talented racers find it difficult to succeed.
Some drivers in the past have had short-lived and challenging experiences under these conditions. For example, Yuki Tsunoda, who had moments of promise elsewhere on the grid, struggled significantly while in the senior Red Bull seat and ultimately lost his place. Tsunoda’s difficulties have added to the narrative that Red Bull’s second seat can be an extremely tough environment for emerging talent.
This context is crucial because Hadjar’s promotion — while a testament to his pace and potential — thrusts him into a challenging situation that demands much more than just rapid adaptation. Daly’s warning highlights a broader issue: Red Bull needs to manage the driver integration process carefully, not simply celebrate a driver’s short-term speed but ensure he is supported mentally, strategically, and emotionally.
Daly’s Insight: Emotional and Psychological Support Matters
According to Daly, the transition for Hadjar should begin long before the first race of the 2026 season. He emphasized that Hadjar’s own management team must work intensively over the winter to prepare him mentally for the unique challenge of racing not just in Formula 1, but specifically alongside Verstappen. The aim, Daly said, is to prevent Hadjar from entering the season with an overwhelming sense that Verstappen is an unbeatable “gladiator” who overshadows his team-mate’s every move.
Daly pointed out that once narratives like Verstappen’s dominance are out in the open — discussed in media, team briefings, and strategy meetings — they inevitably stick in a driver’s mind. These psychological pressures can influence results just as much as the technical performance of the car itself. Daly insisted that drivers require more than mechanical support; they need emotional and psychological backing if they are to thrive when the internal and external expectations are so high.
This point gets to the heart of the warning: Red Bull cannot rely solely on pitching Hadjar into the seat and expecting his talent to carry him through. Instead, Daly suggests that a comprehensive support system should be in place, including mental coaching, clear communication, and a strategic plan that recognizes his unique situation, not just his on-track speed.
Why This Warning Matters
There are several reasons why this warning has resonated within the Formula 1 community:
Hadjar’s Limited F1 Experience: Despite showing promise, Hadjar’s single season in Formula 1 means he still has much to learn about racecraft, strategy, and the intense mental pressure of competing at the highest level. Red Bull’s Reputation: Red Bull’s track record with second drivers has been mixed, with several high-profile pilots struggling to match Verstappen’s pace and consistency. Daly argues that repeating past approaches without adjustment would be a mistake. The Verstappen Effect: Verstappen’s extraordinary dominance means that anyone paired with him is almost guaranteed to be compared unfavorably, regardless of their actual capabilities — a dynamic that can chip away at confidence. Team Strategy Implications: How Red Bull chooses to support Hadjar could influence the team’s overall competitiveness. A driver who quickly loses confidence or fails to score consistently could hamper the team’s strategy for championships or long-term driver development.
What Hadjar Himself Has Said
Hadjar has acknowledged the challenges ahead and expressed his commitment to delivering strong performances. Ahead of his promotion confirmation, he spoke candidly about the fact that moving up to Red Bull represents a new beginning in his career — one that demands consistency and responsibility. He has said that while he admires Verstappen’s success, he wants to carve his own path and focus on delivering results rather than mimicking another driver’s approach.
Hadjar’s perspective reveals a mature mindset and a clear awareness of the task ahead. But even with his determination, Daly’s warning underscores that a celebrated young talent is not immune to the psychological realities of the sport — especially when those realities include competing alongside one of the most dominant figures in modern Formula 1.
Conclusion: The Stakes Are High
In summary, while Isack Hadjar’s promotion to Red Bull is a milestone achievement and a testament to his potential, experts like Derek Daly have stressed that the way Red Bull manages this transition could determine whether it becomes a lasting success story or another regrettable misstep. The warnings focus less on Hadjar’s skill and more on the environment and support that surrounds him. Red Bull must learn from past second-seat challenges and ensure that this next chapter in its driver program does not repeat history simply because it failed to address the human side of racing at the highest level.
