Isack Hadjar has admitted that he initially felt intimidated by the prospect of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull, but the French driver is satisfied with how his first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season has unfolded. With eight top-10 finishes from 11 races and 68 points, Hadjar has delivered the consistency the team had struggled to obtain from Max Verstappen’s previous team-mates.
The 21-year-old has maintained the high expectations created by his impressive season with Racing Bulls and has become an increasingly valued figure at Milton Keynes. Laurent Mekies and Red Bull’s senior management have already begun discussions over a possible contract extension as Hadjar continues to establish himself within the team.
Isack Hadjar impresses during first half of Red Bull season
Isack Hadjar has officially completed the first half of his first season as a Red Bull driver. Across the opening 11 Grands Prix, the Frenchman recorded eight top-10 finishes, accounting for the 68 points he has collected so far.
It represents a strong return when compared with the performances of several drivers who previously occupied the seat alongside Max Verstappen. Many of those predecessors struggled to produce results at a level close to the four-time world champion, placing considerable pressure on Red Bull’s second driver.
Hadjar, however, has carried the momentum from his excellent Racing Bulls campaign into his new role. His progress has strengthened his reputation inside Red Bull and added weight to the positive assessment of Isack Hadjar’s development at the 2026 summer break.
The French driver’s performances have also encouraged Laurent Mekies and other senior figures at the team to begin conversations about extending his current agreement. Those early discussions underline how quickly Hadjar has earned the confidence of the Milton Keynes operation.
Hadjar admits he initially feared Max Verstappen
Despite his strong results, Isack Hadjar did not hide the concern he felt when first taking on the role of Max Verstappen’s team-mate. The Paris-born driver was fully aware of the challenge involved in joining a team built around one of Formula 1’s most successful and demanding competitors.
“You arrive at a team like this and you are already fully aware of where you are,” Isack Hadjar said. “At the beginning, the fear was there because, after all, I had a driver like Max alongside me, a great champion.
“I felt the pressure, but so far it has gone more or less the way I wanted. I am satisfied with the work I have done and I hope I can achieve more good results when we return from the summer break,” the 21-year-old added.
Red Bull contract talks reflect Hadjar’s growing status
Isack Hadjar’s comments highlight the psychological challenge of racing alongside Max Verstappen, whose pace and consistency have exposed the difficulties faced by several previous Red Bull drivers. Rather than being overwhelmed by that pressure, Hadjar has so far converted his opportunities into regular points finishes.
Eight appearances inside the top 10 from 11 races have given Red Bull a more dependable contribution from its second car. The 68 points collected before the summer break also provide Hadjar with a strong foundation for the second half of the championship.
His position can be followed through the latest Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship standings, with the Frenchman now looking to build on his encouraging opening spell when racing resumes.
Hadjar’s immediate objective will be to maintain the same consistency while continuing to close the gap to Max Verstappen. Further strong results after the break could reinforce his position at Red Bull and accelerate negotiations over a longer-term future with the team.
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