Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has openly backed his teammate Isack Hadjar as a potential long-term successor to take over his leading role at Red Bull.
Hadjar stepped up to the main Red Bull Racing squad at the start of the 2026 season following an impressive rookie campaign with sister outfit Racing Bulls. While the Milton Keynes-based outfit has struggled for quite some time to secure a teammate for the Dutchman who could consistently extract the same level of performance from the car, Hadjar has managed to impress the engineering staff so far.
With only six rounds remaining in the 2026 Formula 1 season, Verstappen currently sits fourth in the drivers' championship standings with 221 points to his name. Meanwhile, Hadjar holds eighth position with 97 points, having unfortunately missed three race weekends earlier in the year due to an untimely wrist injury.
Speaking during an interview with Canal+, Verstappen shared his perspective on working alongside his 22-year-old teammate. The reigning champion admitted that having a significantly younger teammate makes him feel slightly older, but he quickly emphasized that this is a completely natural process and a necessary step for any competitive team.
Reflecting on the core philosophy of the Milton Keynes squad, Verstappen noted that Red Bull has always thrived on discovering and nurturing fresh talent to take over when the time comes. He reiterated that his racing career will not last forever and that elite motorsport teams must continuously plan for the future by bringing in new generation drivers.
When directly asked if Hadjar possesses the capability to inherit his leadership role within the team down the line, Verstappen expressed strong confidence. He concluded that he truly hopes the youngster can stay around for a long time and successfully carry the torch for the organization in the coming years.
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