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Ex-F1 Driver Explains Why 2026 Would Be Isack Hadjar's 'Perfect Chance' To Challenge Max Verstappen at Red Bull

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Luke-John Buckle | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 5:26 PM ET

Max Verstappen has consistently outperformed every teammate he's faced at Red Bull since 2019, a run that began after Daniel Ricciardo's departure to join Renault. But Isack Hadjar may provide a different threat if given the chance next year.

The reigning champion Verstappen got the better of Sergio Perez and has been significantly quicker than Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda this year.

Verstappen has been able to manage the Red Bull cars, which are notoriously difficult to drive, much better than his teammates. However, even the four-time world champion has only won twice in 2025.

Tsunoda has struggled alongside the Dutchman at Red Bull since replacing Lawson in Japan, only scoring points four times in 13 races.

He is under significant pressure, and Hadjar's podium for Racing Bulls last time out at the Dutch Grand Prix has only heightened the tension.

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer feels that if Hadjar were to replace Tsunoda at Red Bull next year, 2026 would be the Frenchman's best chance to battle Verstappen.

He explained on the Weekend Warm-Up: "I know there's been a lot of chat from Isack as well, saying, I don't know if I want to be at Red Bull because he's seen Liam Lawson, he's seen Yuki Tsunoda jump in and struggle.

"But basically, if he wants to win in Formula 1, I think you can't sit in a nice, cosy midfield team forever. I think next year is the perfect chance for him because it's the new regulations. So both him and Max would be starting from zero.

"Okay, maybe Max knows the team, but it's not a car that's necessarily been designed so much around Max. The new regs are going to throw everything wide open. And as you say, the Max future chatter will come again."

The second Red Bull drive alongside Verstappen has become a very difficult seat to handle. Incredibly fast drivers like Perez and Alex Albon were forced to sit on the sidelines for a year before returning to the grid after a spell at Red Bull.

Promoting Hadjar to Red Bull after just one season in F1 may be a risk, but the Austrian team may have few options if Tsunoda continues to underperform.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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