Isack Hadjar candidly admits to being ‘scared’ at the prospect of becoming Max Verstappen‘s teammate. The French rookie has been increasingly linked to the second Red Bull seat, currently occupied by the struggling Yuki Tsunoda, following his success in Zandvoort. Nevertheless, Hadjar sees himself behind the wheel for the Austrians: ‘Do I see myself as Max Verstappen’s teammate? Of course’.
Isack Hadjar secured his first Formula 1 podium in Zandvoort, and since then, he has been increasingly associated with a promotion to Red Bull. Current Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda is still grappling with the RB21 – the Japanese driver has only managed to score World Championship points four times in his fourteen races with the Austrians – making Hadjar an increasingly serious candidate to take over Tsunoda’s seat in 2026.
“It scares me, but it’s also an exciting prospect,” Hadjar tells Canal+ about a possible Red Bull promotion. “Do I see myself as Max Verstappen’s teammate? Of course. And what a line-up that would be. My career hasn’t been very long, but if the opportunity presents itself now, I’ll take it. The chance to sit next to and in the same car as the best driver in the world. The chance to compare myself with him.”
‘It’s already decided’
Hadjar is then asked by presenter Mouloud Achour if he isn’t speaking out of turn. A potential promotion to Red Bull for the rookie has not yet been officially confirmed by the team. “I’m not really revealing anything, it’s just the natural progression. It’s already decided,” says the French driver. According to the German Auto, Motor und Sport, it’s already a public secret that Hadjar will be Verstappen’s teammate next year. Sister team Racing Bulls is reportedly choosing Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad for 2026.
