Hadjar Calls F1 'Luxury' of Teaming Up with Max Verstappen

Isack Hadjar believes he is in a privileged position as a team-mate to Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. While the young Frenchman admits it's a tough challenge to keep up with the world champion, he sees it as a golden opportunity to grow.

Verstappen is widely regarded as one of the most consistent drivers on the grid, having easily outpaced his team-mates in recent years. Hadjar was handed the second Red Bull seat for 2026 after just one season with sister squad Racing Bulls.

Red Bull's decision to trust Hadjar with the second seat was a bold move. However, the 21-year-old has proven his worth with a consistent run of top-six finishes in the first half of the season. This strong performance is likely to earn him a contract extension for 2027.

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Speaking on the Talking Bulls podcast, Hadjar expressed his curiosity about the highest level in the sport. "I've always been curious to know, what's the highest level in the world? What is it like to share the same car as the best driver on the grid?" he said. "And at 21 years old, I have the luxury to get to compare myself against Max and see what he does."

So far this season, Verstappen leads the qualifying head-to-head 8-3. Despite that, Hadjar doesn't feel pressured. Instead, he views Verstappen as a very high benchmark that is difficult to beat.

"Every time he's out there on track, he puts such a high benchmark and tough times to beat," Hadjar added. "It's always very impressive to be next to him."

For Hadjar, learning from Verstappen is a long-term investment. With growing experience, he hopes to close the gap to his team-mate and become a serious contender in the future.