Isack Hadjar Joins Red Bull Amid Verstappen’s Team‑Mate Curse Concerns

French driver Isack Hadjar announced he will race for Red Bull Racing starting in the 2026 Formula 1 season, taking the seat vacated by Yuki Tsunoda. Hadjar, who rose through karting and impressed teams with his debut year, said his aim is to avoid the “teammate curse” that has seen previous Red Bull partners struggle to match Max Verstappen’s performance. He explained his approach: “Be unbelievably quick, be good outside the car, help the mechanics and the team, and get the job done on the track.”

Both Hadjar and Verstappen have voiced frustrations with the car’s pace, especially after a difficult opening stint at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen’s complaints were described as “reassuring” to Hadjar, who noted that the team’s tactical use of his car – running him long to hold up rivals – was “annoying” and disrupted his own race. The drivers’ shared concerns highlight ongoing performance challenges for Red Bull despite its competitive history.