Max Verstappen has given his backing to Isack Hadjar as a potential future leader of Red Bull, revealing that he hopes his French team-mate can eventually take his place at the Milton Keynes team. Speaking in a recent interview with Canal+, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion praised Isack Hadjar’s speed and competitiveness while acknowledging that his own time in the championship will not last forever.
The Dutch driver made it clear that he sees Isack Hadjar as part of Red Bull’s long-term future. Although Max Verstappen remains the team’s established leader, he believes developing the next generation of drivers is essential to maintaining the philosophy that has shaped Red Bull’s approach to Formula 1 for many years.
Max Verstappen backs Isack Hadjar as his future Red Bull successor
Discussing his relationship with Isack Hadjar, Max Verstappen highlighted the qualities that have impressed him since the French driver became his team-mate. The Dutchman described Isack Hadjar as a fast and competitive driver who has the potential to play a significant role in Red Bull’s future.
“I’m not going to race forever and, at some point, you need new talent to come into the team and try to take my place. That has always been somewhat the way Red Bull works, finding new talent, and I think Isack will continue to do that for a long time. As a team-mate, he’s fantastic,” Max Verstappen told Canal+.
Those comments reflect the confidence Max Verstappen has developed in his younger team-mate. Red Bull has traditionally relied on identifying promising drivers and giving them opportunities to establish themselves at the highest level, and Isack Hadjar is now in a position to demonstrate that he can eventually assume greater responsibilities within the team.
Max Verstappen discusses his Formula 1 future
Max Verstappen has never hidden the possibility that he could eventually bring his Formula 1 career to an end rather than continue racing indefinitely. Following the example of drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who have remained active in the championship well into their careers, does not particularly appeal to the Dutchman.
For that reason, Max Verstappen hopes Isack Hadjar can develop into the driver capable of assuming Red Bull’s leadership role when the time comes for him to step away from Formula 1.
Asked whether Isack Hadjar might one day take over his position within the team, Max Verstappen replied: “That’s what I hope. As I said, I’m not going to race here forever. He’s a few years older than me, so I hope he can stay around for quite a while longer.”
The comments represent an important endorsement of Isack Hadjar, although they do not amount to a formal announcement about Red Bull’s future driver hierarchy. Max Verstappen has expressed his hope that the Frenchman can eventually succeed him, rather than suggesting that any immediate change is planned.
Red Bull turns its attention to the United States Grand Prix in Austin
Meanwhile, Red Bull is preparing for the 2026 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, where both drivers will be looking to build on their recent performances.
Max Verstappen will be targeting a third consecutive victory, while Isack Hadjar will aim to challenge the leading contenders following his impressive recovery drive at the Singapore Grand Prix.
With Max Verstappen continuing to fight at the front and Isack Hadjar gaining experience alongside one of Formula 1’s most successful modern drivers, Red Bull has an opportunity to combine its immediate competitive ambitions with the development of a potential future team leader.
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