“It Scares Me,” Isack Hadjar Responds to Claims of Joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull

Isack Hadjar opens up on potentially teaming up with Max Verstappen at Red Bull and being up against the 'career killer' in latter.

“It Scares Me,” Isack Hadjar Responds to Claims of Joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull

Isack Hadjar (via Getty), Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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The second driver problem at Red Bull has continued despite the team giving it their all to come out of the desperate performance slump. Max Verstappen remains the major point scorer for the constructor, as Yuki Tsunoda has failed to exceed expectations for him. Currently, Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar is performing great, even with the sister outfit, and can potentially move up the chain in the coming season. As such, the 20-year-old has opened up on potentially teaming up with Verstappen.

In the first 16 races of the 2025 season so far, Max Verstappen has achieved 230 points out of the 239 total for Red Bull. While the RB21 challenger is highly inferior compared to the rivals on track, Yuki Tsunoda is still unable to finish in the points consistently, like Verstappen. Although Tsunoda is locked in for the remainder of the 2025 season, he is likely to be snubbed from the team as soon as the 2026 season.

Hence, Isack Hadjar seems like the best replacement at Red Bull, someone who can pair up with Max Verstappen and hope to remain in the vicinity of the former. Hadjar asserted that it scared him to think about teaming up with the reigning world champion at Milton Keynes. Still, the Frenchman highlighted that it was exciting for him as his team-up with Verstappen would be incredible.

It scares me. It scares me, but it’s also incredibly exciting. Seeing myself team up with Max? Of course! And what a line-up.

Isack Hadjar told Canal+

Isack Hadjar raised no doubts over the chances of him being promoted to Red Bull in the near future. Hadjar insisted that no one was spoiling anything, as his move to Milton Keynes was bound to take place shortly. The Frenchman asserted that it was ‘written’ in his destiny to be promoted up the ranks and fight alongside Max Verstappen for race wins and potentially even the title.

You’re not really spoiling, it’s the trajectory. It’s written.

Isack Hadjar added

Isack Hadjar labels Max Verstappen ‘best driver in the world’

Isack Hadjar is still in his rookie year and is already looking at a Red Bull promotion. While this move would be very exciting for the newbie, he would still be up against the ‘career killer’ in Max Verstappen. Regardless, Hadjar is accepting of all contingencies and is up for the challenge.

Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar (via Red Bull)

Speaking on the potential move, Isack Hadjar accepted that it was very early in his career to hope for a promotion to Red Bull. Still, he noted that he would get the opportunity to pair up with Max Verstappen. Hadjar continued that he would be up against the best driver in the world in Verstappen, and drive the same car as him. This would provide a great benchmark for the Frenchman to compare his racing skills with the reigning world champion.

Of course, it’s early in my career, but I may have this opportunity. You give me the same car as the best driver in the world, and he’s right next to me. I have the opportunity to compare myself to him, and I have the same chances as him.

Isack Hadjar noted

The 2025 season has been great for Isack Hadjar, and he might just become the rookie of the year following his consistency this year. However, moving to Red Bull and performing there is a completely different challenge in its own. Hence, time will tell about how the 20-year-old fares against the massive hopes banked on him by the fans and the team.

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