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Isack Hadjar of France driving the VCARB 02. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Hadjar ready for 'frightening' task of being Verstappen’s teammate

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Jaden Diaz-Ndisang | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 5:32 AM ET

Red Bull have opted to postpone their final decision on who will drive alongside Max Verstappen in 2026. This leaves Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson under the microscope with just four rounds left this season.

As it stands, Tsunoda and Lawson are the drivers under most pressure. With a strong end to the season, Tsunoda could secure another year with Red Bull and cement his place within the team.

On the flip side, a failure to improve could see the Japanese driver out of the grid entirely. The same can be said for Lawson, who is fighting to earn another contract with the Austrian outfit.

Unlike his counterparts, Hadjar finds himself in a relatively comfortable position.

Hadjar looks to maintain form as Red Bull evaluate 2026 options

As it stands, Isack Hadjar is the favourite to take the second Red Bull seat next season. It would be a stretch to say he is guaranteed a promotion, given that Laurent Mekies has shown a genuine belief in Yuki Tsunoda.

Still, Hadjar is the obvious choice if Red Bull do not keep Tsunoda. The Frenchman has benefited from a season of stability at the Racing Bulls – allowing him to avoid the notorious second Red Bull seat.

In many ways, the Frenchman’s advantage over teammate Liam Lawson has been relatively minimal. The two VCARB are very evenly matched, and Lawson has even outscored Hadjar in the last ten rounds – even with Hadjar’s Zandvoort podium.

Still, the 20-year-old is the only Red Bull junior that hasn’t been driven at the main team. In this sense, he represents a clean slate for Laurent Mekies and Helmut Marko ahead of 2026.

Aware of the potential for a shake-up, Hadjar is mentally preparing for the challenge of facing Verstappen:

“It’s the dream. That’s why I’m in Formula 1. It’s not just to be there and drive, make money, go home.

“I’m not here for that, I’m here to fight against the best and show myself what I can do. When you have Max as a team mate, I don’t think there’s a better reference.

“It’s definitely a bit frightening, but at the same time, it really excites me to be one day his team mate.

“If there is one more weekend to make the difference, then I need to be performing well.

“Honestly, I’ve no regrets this year on what I’ve done, and I don’t think one weekend is going to change the decision.”

Isack Hadjar driving the VCARB 02. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Final decision approaching

The good news for Hadjar is that, regardless of if he drives for Red Bull or VCARB, he will be in Formula 1 next year. This means his career is not on the line – at when compared to Tsunoda and Lawson.

More broadly, Hadjar’s timing could be impeccable. Red Bull’s decision to promote the inexperienced Lawson essentially ruined the Kiwi’s market value – whilst simultaneously giving Tsunoda an uphill battle when he arrived mid-season.

It is for good reason that Hadjar shot down suggestions he should be promoted to Red Bull in 2025 – instead insisting that 2026 would allow for a more natural transition.

With this year almost over, the Frenchman will hope it is too late for Tsunoda to convince Red Bull he deserves another chance.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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