Source:REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] As the 2026 season is set to kick off at Albert Park, discussions around Max Verstappen’s teammate position have resurfaced. In this regard, former F1 driver and current commentator Jolyon Palmer admitted that he has changed his earlier view on Isack Hadjar’s promotion to Red Bull: partnering with Verstappen may not have the right timing at all.
Statistics show that Red Bull has welcomed Verstappen’s fourth teammate in 16 months. After parting ways with Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda both attempted to challenge for this position but failed. Now, Hadjar has received this opportunity. Last year, Palmer believed that the new regulations year was the best window for newcomers, as everyone would start from scratch, making the environment fairer. However, after nine days of pre-season testing, his judgment has shifted.
Testing data revealed that Hadjar faced reliability issues and unexpected accidents during the Bahrain and Barcelona sessions, resulting in significantly fewer laps than Verstappen, with a lap time deficit exceeding one second. More critically, Palmer believes that the characteristics of the new generation of cars may align more closely with Verstappen’s driving style.
The author believes that under the new regulations, cars release more energy to the rear axle during deceleration phases, which can lead to rear instability—an aspect that Verstappen excels at controlling. Precise steering input and delicate control over rear sliding are key factors in his long-term dominance over teammates.