At Red Bull the curse of the second seat is finally over
The 2026 season has delivered a myriad of changes so far. We have seen new cars, new tires, fresh strategic dynamics, two new teams, and a reshuffled grid. Yet, one major shift compared to recent years is flying somewhat under the radar: the performance of Red Bull’s second driver, Isack Hadjar. Before the championship even kicked off, many anticipated that the Parisian driver would be the one to finally break what had seemed like a genuine curse inside that side of the Red Bull garage.
Sergio Pérez’s final year with the team in 2024 was nothing short of disastrous, plagued by poor results, a massive deficit to Max Verstappen, and the inescapable reality of an aging driver. The situation deteriorated further in 2025 with the arrival of Liam Lawson. Facing minimal adaptation time in a car designed entirely around Max’s driving style, Lawson’s first two races were highly negative. Consequently, by the third round, he was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, who vocally declared he was ready for the challenge. However, that campaign also went awry, meaning Red Bull effectively spent the entire 2025 season racing with just a single competitive car. In 2026, that trend has visibly flipped.
F1 2026: Hadjar proves his mettle
The man carrying the #6 on his Red Bull took the paddock by surprise with his stellar performances for Racing Bulls in 2025. Despite his youth, his driving style mirrors that of a seasoned veteran, showcasing an aggressive edge and raw hunger that strongly echoes a young Verstappen. This year, the Frenchman made the step up to the senior team, fully prepared to silence the critics who questioned his promotion over Tsunoda.
Hadjar faced some initial hurdles during pre-season testing, particularly in Barcelona, but he refused to let it discourage him. At the season opener, he shocked the paddock by qualifying third and executed a brilliant Sunday drive until a technical failure on the brand-new Red Bull-Ford power unit cut his race short. Isack is immensely strong over a single flying lap, consistently pushing Verstappen close throughout the season, with the sole exceptions being Japan and Miami. The United States weekend proved to be a highly complicated affair, ending with him hitting the barriers on Sunday.
Bouncing back from such difficult moments is never easy, especially for a young driver, but Hadjar has repeatedly proven his mental resilience. He bounced back with a solid result in Canada before truly unleashing his potential in Monaco. Although he hit the walls during Friday practice, he bounced back in Saturday’s qualifying session to place himself within just a few tenths of Max. On Sunday, he secured his first podium for Red Bull right on the streets of Monte Carlo. Even though that third-place finish was later revoked a few days later in favor of an incredible Pierre Gasly, the stellar performance remained undisputed. Returning to Barcelona, he qualified within less than a tenth of his teammate, showing a clear hunger to reclaim the podium that was taken from him. He drove a mature race to finish a strong sixth, crossing the line just two positions behind Max.
Isack Hadjar: The next Ricciardo or the next Verstappen?
With only seven races under his belt in official Red Bull colors, it is premature to definitively predict the Parisian’s long-term trajectory. His performances have been highly encouraging so far, but matching Max remains the ultimate benchmark. His destiny lies as much in his own hands as it does in Red Bull’s technical development. Under current ADUO regulations, Red Bull’s power unit has been designated as the class of the field, meaning they cannot introduce further performance engine upgrades. Consequently, any lap-time gains must be extracted through aerodynamics, chassis refinements, and battery software optimization.
The team certainly possesses the pedigree to design a championship-winning car, as proven in previous seasons. Having two drivers consistently delivering strong results—a dynamic missing since the days of Daniel Ricciardo or Pérez’s early tenure—provides the Austrian squad with massive motivation to find the necessary performance to fight for wins again. One thing is certain: if the car is competitive, Red Bull can finally count on both sides of the garage after many years of compromise.
In summary, Isack Hadjar’s impressive integration into Red Bull Racing has effectively shattered the long-standing “second seat” curse that hindered the team in recent campaigns. By matching Max Verstappen’s pace across crucial qualifying sessions and demonstrating remarkable mental resilience after track setbacks, the young French driver has given the Milton Keynes squad a balanced lineup. As the off-track developmental battle intensifies under strict technical regulations, having two cars consistently scoring heavy points will be Red Bull’s ultimate weapon in reclaiming their spot at the absolute front of the grid.
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