Sergio Pérez and Alexander Albon expect their successor at Red Bull — Isack Hadjar — will perform far better than they did when they raced for the Austrian outfit. Both drivers were shown the door after being outpaced by teammate Max Verstappen. Pérez and Albon, however, believe Hadjar won’t share the same fate, partly because of the new regulations: “It’s a great opportunity for him.”
Isack Hadjar is on the verge of beginning his Red Bull adventure. The French‑Algerian driver, after a year with Racing Bulls, will officially join the Austrians in 2026. Hadjar thus follows, among others, Alexander Albon and Sergio Pérez as Max Verstappen’s teammate. The two were ultimately dismissed by Red Bull due to disappointing results. Both Albon and Pérez nevertheless expect Hadjar will avoid the same outcome.
“I think Isack is a quick driver,” Albon replied in Bahrain when asked for advice for Red Bull’s newest driver. According to the British–Thai, Hadjar has the advantage of joining Red Bull at the same time an entirely new set of regulations comes into force. “It’s a fresh start for everyone. Based on what I’ve seen so far he seems pretty comfortable in the car, and I think he still has a lot to learn, not only about having a fast team-mate, but also about the car itself. I think he’ll do well.”
‘Great opportunity’
Pérez – who earlier described being Verstappen’s team-mate as ‘both the best and the worst job’ in Formula 1 – agrees with Albon. “It’s very good to join Red Bull when such a change in the rules is happening,” the Mexican said. “Isack is a very talented driver, he’s shown that. I’m sure that, as long as he stays calm throughout the year, he’ll have a very successful Formula 1 career ahead of him. And with Max as a team-mate in F1 it’s a great team. At this point in his career it’s a great place for him. I think it’s a great opportunity.”
