Isack Hadjar is getting ready to line up alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, with the French driver set to become the sixth team-mate the Dutchman has had at Milton Keynes. After the disappointing performances shown last season by both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who were called upon to partner the four-time world champion, it will now be up to Hadjar to prove that he truly deserves his seat.
After completing an impressive debut season with Racing Bulls, during which he even managed to secure a podium finish, the time has now come for him to deliver much more. Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has spoken about the French driver’s move to Red Bull, offering some very specific predictions about what lies ahead. “He will be the team’s scapegoat,” Hill said during the Stay on Track podcast.
Fears and harsh realities
Hill’s concern is that Hadjar’s career could also suffer a setback, just as it did for several of his predecessors at Red Bull. According to the former champion, the only real option is to accept the way the team operates, a system that revolves around a single driver. “He will have to accept that in that team, Max is in charge and he is there as support. The question is whether you can understand that on your own or not. Even if he has the qualities to fight for a World Championship, will he accept staying number two?” Hill concluded.
All that remains now is to wait for the start of the season to find out whether Hadjar will be able to do better than those who came before him, and whether he will manage to settle in – and align himself – with the Red Bull method. The challenge is a formidable one, and the spotlight will be firmly on the young French driver from the very first race.
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