Isack Hadjar has demonstrated a strong performance during the 2026 Formula 1 season, avoiding the substantial performance gap to Max Verstappen that affected previous Red Bull drivers. His current average qualifying deficit to Verstappen stands at just over 0.1 seconds.
This places Hadjar as the closest teammate to Verstappen since Daniel Ricciardo, whose delta was approximately half a tenth in 2017. Hadjar’s performance has surpassed Ricciardo’s 2018 gap of just under 0.2 seconds.
Hadjar was promoted to Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season, partnering four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. This move saw him replace Yuki Tsunoda in the senior team.
His promotion followed a notable rookie F1 campaign in 2025 with Racing Bulls, where he secured points in ten Grands Prix. A highlight of his 2025 season was a maiden podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The benchmark of being ‘eight tenths’ off Verstappen was a challenge that several Red Bull predecessors faced. Liam Lawson, for instance, was ‘completely outclassed’ by Verstappen during his brief two-race stint at Red Bull Racing in 2025.
Lawson’s F1 career has been turbulent, including a demotion back to Racing Bulls after his short period with the senior team. He currently races for Racing Bulls alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Lawson is under pressure to retain his seat for the 2027 season, with his performance against Lindblad being marginal. In previous stints, Lawson was behind Yuki Tsunoda in qualifying during 2023 and 2024.
Yuki Tsunoda, who Hadjar replaced, is now a reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls for the 2026 season. Tsunoda had previously replaced Lawson at Red Bull from the Japanese Grand Prix in 2025.
Hadjar has consistently scored points through the opening twelve rounds of the 2026 season, sitting eighth in the drivers’ standings with 68 points. He has also out-qualified Verstappen three times this year.
The French driver attributes some of his competitive performance to the 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes. He believes these new rules have provided a more level playing field for both drivers.
Hadjar also acknowledged a ‘culture shock’ upon moving from the ‘family team’ environment of Racing Bulls to the British-based Red Bull Racing squad. However, his long-standing involvement with the Red Bull junior programme eased this transition.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed that retaining Hadjar for the 2027 season is considered a ‘logical step’. Hadjar has demonstrated consistent progress and absorbed pressure effectively.
