Isack Hadjar is facing the ultimate baptism of fire this season in F1: going wheel-to-wheel with four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
But two of the four-time world champion’s team-mates think the Frenchman will perform well against the fierce Dutchman.
Why? Because Alex Albon and Sergio Perez see Formula 1’s 2026 regulation overhaul as a potential equaliser for Hadjar, giving him a better shot to hold his own against Verstappen than his predecessors at Red Bull.
A Fresh Start in the Lions' Den
Hadjar’s winter has been anything but smooth – marred by a crash in Barcelona and a string of mechanical gremlins in Bahrain – but Albon remains unbothered. The Williams driver, who once sat where Hadjar sits now, highlighted the 21-year-old’s talent and the opportunities the new rules present.
“I think Isack is a quick driver,” Albon remarked in Bahrain. “And I think actually this regulation change will be good for everyone. It’s a fresh start for everyone.
“Based on what I’ve seen so far, he seems to be quite comfortable in the car, and I think it’s a lot of learning to do, not just in terms of having a quick team-mate but also the car itself. I think he’s going to do ok.”
The Best and Worst Job in the World
Sergio Perez, whose own Red Bull story ended in a bittersweet exit from the grid, famously labeled the second Red Bull seat as “the best and worst job” in the sport.
It is a poisoned chalice, yet the Mexican believes Hadjar has timed his arrival to perfection. By entering the fray exactly when the cars have become alien to everyone – including Verstappen – Hadjar avoids the trap of trying to master a car honed by years of Max's specific feedback.
©RedBull
“I think it’s great to come into Red Bull with such a change in the regulations,” Checo noted, eyeing the youngster’s trajectory.
To Perez, the talent is undeniable, provided the mental fortitude holds up under the Milton Keynes spotlight.
“Isack is a very talented driver, he’s shown that, and I’m sure that as long as he stays cool throughout the year, he will have a very successful career in Formula 1,” he added.
“And also being team-mates with Max in F1, it’s a great team. So, I think it’s a great place for him to be in at this point of his career. I think it’s a great opportunity.”
With fresh rules, a supportive team environment, and advice from those who’ve walked the same tightrope, the F1 paddock will be watching closely to see if Hadjar can turn potential into pace – and start challenging Verstappen from the first corners of the 2026 season.
Read also:
Hadjar: Red Bull RB22 already ‘easier to push to the limit’
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