By Dylan MacIsaac
For years now, a sub-par weekend for Max Verstappen spells bad news for everyone involved in Red Bull. The years of searching for a complimentary partner have yielded next to nothing, but the ‘curse of the second seat’ may finally be over.
Isack Hadjar came into this season off the back of an eye-catching rookie campaign that saw him pick up a podium in Zandvoort for Red Bull’s sister team VCARB. A host of other points finishes earned him the nod for a promotion following the departure of Yuki Tsunoda.
Despite qualifying third at the season opener in Australia, a series of issues with his car forced him to retire early on. The promising qualifying continued, only starting outside the top 10 in Miami when his car was found to have not met the regulations.
Momentum was building for the Frenchman, culminating in yesterday’s third place finish at a wonderfully chaotic Monaco Grand Prix. In doing so, Hadjar became the first Red Bull driver not named Max Verstappen to stand on a podium since April 2024 when Sergio Perez took third place in China.
For reference, this is a feat the Dutchman has achieved 26 times in that span, 13 of those being wins.
Is he just that good, or are the others that poor?
Hadjar’s predecessor in Tsunoda cracked the top 10 just seven times in his season with the top team, a drop from nine in the sister team the year prior. A VCARB can seldom be called an awful car, but one would expect the Red Bull to eclipse it on every level.
The problem with these ‘better’ cars is that they are set up to cater to Verstappen’s on-the-limit, bravado driving style, constantly teetering on the edge of over-aggressive. The razor thin margins for error have made fools of countless drivers over the years, with only Perez able to tame the beast, making Hadjar’s relative success all the more impressive.
What makes Hadjar different?
Isack has proven himself to be similar to his teammate in many ways. He likes to push the car to the limit, and has shown his ability to consistently control the twitchy back end that sits behind him.
He has also displayed a high driving IQ for someone so young, managing races and tyres like a veteran and allowing himself to forge decent finishes.
The main similarity lies in the mindset, specifically the willingness to work at and perfect his craft, something Verstappen is known and renowned for.
Red Bull now possesses a pair of drivers who will do whatever it takes to reach the pinnacle.
For all his success, Checo always seemed content fulfilling a secondary role, the Bottas to their Hamilton, if you will.
Of course, every driver has to give their all to reach Formula One, but most lack the mental fortitude that Hadjar has displayed. He is quick to blame himself, rather than the team, and search for the extra speed within himself, the opposite of someone like Tsunoda who seemed to search for accountability anywhere but himself.
He doesn’t worry about excuses; he isn’t afraid to challenge the team’s main man, and he isn’t afraid to challenge himself when things go wrong.
Antonelli may be deservedly stealing the headlines, but Red Bull have their own young star who is quietly laying the groundwork for team success.
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