Red Bull is looking ahead to the future in Formula 1 with a major announcement that’s bound to grab attention: Isack Hadjar will line up alongside Max Verstappen next season. It’s far from an easy task, given the struggles faced in recent years by anyone who’s shared the garage with the Dutch superstar.
The intra-team comparison has always been brutal. Even seasoned drivers have eventually buckled under the immense pressure. And the most recent examples don’t inspire much optimism.
Hadjar at Red Bull: The regulatory shake-up offers a golden opportunity
Sergio Perez tried to withstand the onslaught thanks to his vast experience, but over time he seemed increasingly mentally fragile. His performances gradually declined. As for Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, they didn’t stand a chance. Hadjar, however, arrives with a different profile. His debut Formula 1 season with Racing Bulls has been impressively solid.
He racked up 51 points, showing consistent improvement that convinced the team to bet on him. It’s a well-deserved promotion, but one loaded with huge expectations. The young Frenchman hasn’t hidden that he’s already feeling the weight of this new chapter. Stepping up to the main team means far greater visibility, intense media scrutiny, and much heavier responsibilities.
“I don’t feel particularly comfortable with this level of fame and all the media attention. It’s annoying, but I’ll find a way to disappear. Maybe I’ll wear a mask, I don’t know.” Jokes that reveal a genuine unease.
The environment Hadjar will step into could, however, be less oppressive than in the recent past. The departure of dominant figures like Helmut Marko and Christian Horner might ease internal tensions. The new structure is focused on day-to-day driver management. Laurent Mekies has already worked with Isack earlier in the season and represents a key reference point. The goal will be to protect him and guide his development.
It’s clear that the team will continue to revolve around Verstappen. Technical and strategic inputs will start with him. Hadjar will need to adapt quickly and learn to handle an inherently unbalanced intra-team battle. But the new F1 regulations for 2026 could shake up the deck for Red Bull’s second driver. This overhaul might soften the established hierarchies, giving the Frenchman more opportunities than those who came before him.
Red Bull: The usual power plays persist despite Horner and Marko’s exits
The other hot topic inside Red Bull concerns the ongoing internal power struggles. The departures of Horner and Marko gave the impression of renewed calm. In reality, it’s just the latest chapter in a much broader conflict. Decisions are also coming from the Austrian side of the company.
A faction that, despite the Thai majority ownership, wants to reclaim a dominant role in sporting management. CEO Oliver Mintzlaff is pushing for a stronger decision-making position. Frictions are far from resolved. Former Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya offered a critical view of the situation.
“From what you hear, Austria wants to be more involved and manage the team directly. It’s a double-edged sword,” the ex-F1 racer explained. “If they get too much control, everything risks turning into a dictatorship: one single direction, one way of doing things, under one leadership.”
Words that paint a picture of a still-fragile balance during a period that should be one of stabilization following recent upheavals.
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