Max Verstappen Backs Isack Hadjar to Take Over Red Bull F1 Role

Max Verstappen Identifies Isack Hadjar as Red Bull Successor

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has publicly endorsed his Red Bull Racing team-mate Isack Hadjar as a future leader for the Milton Keynes-based team. Hadjar joined Red Bull alongside the Dutch driver at the start of the 2026 season, earning the promotion following an impressive rookie campaign with sister team Racing Bulls. The Milton Keynes outfit has faced extended scrutiny over previous seasons regarding the performance gap between Verstappen and his second drivers, but Hadjar’s emergence has provided encouraging stability.

Through the opening phases of the 2026 campaign, Hadjar has demonstrated significant pace despite setbacks. With six rounds remaining in the 2026 championship, Verstappen occupies fourth place in the drivers’ standings with 221 points. Hadjar trails in eighth position on 97 points, an effort that accounts for his absence during three race weekends due to a wrist injury.

Verstappen on Red Bull’s Generational Transition

Speaking in an interview with Canal+, Verstappen reflected on working alongside the 22-year-old and discussed the natural progression of team dynamics as veteran drivers guide the next generation.

“Isack, he’s still a very young guy. He’s been a part of the Red Bull programme for a while now,” Verstappen said. “Even when he was still not racing in Formula 1, he’s been around to some of the races, listening in and following.

“So, I slowly start to feel a little bit old having a younger team-mate by quite a few years. But that’s a normal process, and that’s also what, as a team, you should be looking for, right?

“I’m not going to race forever, and at one point you need new talent coming into the team to try and take over at one point. That’s always been a little bit the way that Red Bull works, finding new talent, and I think that will continue for a long time.

“As a team-mate, he has been great. He’s just getting started, but it has been really nice.”

When asked directly whether Hadjar possessed the potential to inherit his position as Red Bull’s focal point in the future, Verstappen affirmed his backing: “That’s what I hope. As I said, I’m not racing here forever. He has a few years on me, so hopefully he can stay around for a bit longer.”

Why This Matters

Verstappen’s vocal endorsement represents a significant vote of confidence inside an organization renowned for its rigorous junior driver standards. Over multiple seasons, Red Bull experienced difficulty identifying a driver capable of matching the Dutchman’s benchmark and extracting consistent results from the machinery. Hadjar’s quick adaptation—coupled with Verstappen acknowledging his own eventual departure from Formula 1—suggests that Red Bull’s driver pipeline is functioning effectively to secure the team’s long-term competitive foundation as the 2026 season enters its final stretch.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Isack Hadjar join Red Bull Racing?

Isack Hadjar joined the senior Red Bull Racing team at the start of the 2026 season, stepping up after an eye-catching rookie year with the junior outfit, Racing Bulls.

How have Verstappen and Hadjar performed in the 2026 season?

With six rounds to go in 2026, Max Verstappen holds fourth place in the drivers’ championship with 221 points, while Hadjar is eighth with 97 points after being sidelined for three race weekends with a wrist injury.

What did Max Verstappen say about Hadjar taking over his role?

Verstappen confirmed his hope that Hadjar will eventually take over, stating that he will not race forever and emphasizing that cultivating new talent to lead the team reflects the core philosophy of Red Bull.