Why ex-Red Bull drivers see Hadjar keeping pace with Verstappen

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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.

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“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.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.