Source:RED BULL/Sal Rodriguez
[Saba Sports News] In a racing program, former world champion Damon Hill analyzed Isack Hadjar’s prospects within the Red Bull team. According to Hill, Hadjar earned his opportunity to join the Red Bull first team through talent, but after becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate, the best outcome he might achieve could be merely earning Verstappen’s recognition or receiving a nod from the team saying, “You’ve done your best.” Hill believes that the current structure of the Red Bull team is very clear: if Hadjar wants to establish himself without disrupting the existing hierarchy, he must learn to prioritize the team’s interests.
Johnny Herbert, who participated in the discussion, spoke highly of Hadjar, noting that he demonstrated remarkable stability during his time with the Red Bull junior team in the 2025 season. As a rookie, he frequently brought surprises, and his work ethic and perseverance stood out. In response, Hill added that Hadjar’s personality might work in his favor. He is not silent, has a strong desire for expression, but isn’t excessively aggressive. When races go well, he openly shows his excitement, which often has a positive impact on the entire team. However, once he steps into the Red Bull first team, the challenges will intensify.
There has long been a singular core goal: to compete for the drivers’ championship surrounding Verstappen, while the second driver’s role is to cooperate and score points, ensuring the team maintains an advantage in the standings. In my view, within the Red Bull team, Verstappen is the main character, and the second driver will face immense pressure. At this point, as the second driver, it is necessary to mentally convince oneself to view this experience as a learning process.