INTERVIEW: Isack Hadjar “couldn’t be more ready” to partner Max Verstappen

"The goal is to accept that I'm going to be slower in the first months," said Hadjar, speaking to a select group of media, including this writer. "If you go in with that mindset, already accepting that it's going to be very tough, looking at the data and seeing things you can't achieve yet, it's going to be very frustrating. But if you know, then you're more prepared."

With the regulations undergoing the biggest change in the sport's history, Hadjar naturally senses a small window of opportunity. To a degree, there will be a level playing field in that it will take time for both him and Verstappen to develop an understanding and appreciation of the car.

Naturally, it was put to Hadjar that surely there was 'something in his head' that he could match Verstappen from the outset. His reply indicated a star-struck attitude.

"If there were another year of these regulations, no way," he said. "But maybe the way you have to drive these cars, you never know. It could suit me perfectly.

"But at the same time, it's Max Verstappen. He doesn't have a driving style. He adapts to what he's given, and that's his strength." Hadjar asserted that Verstappen would be as good in this year's car as he was in last year's RB21, and previous Red Bulls before that. "He is constantly adapting," he added.

To me, it sounded defeatist, so I questioned him on why he should accept already being beaten by Verstappen, an attitude likely applied by the four-time World Champion’s former team-mates when they joined Red Bull, accepting that he is "just too good".

Hadjar's reasoning, in response, was sound enough. "I think they will have thought the opposite," he said. "Everyone thinks they are special, so you come in, and you think, 'He's only human. I'm gonna beat him'. Then you get stomped over, and the snowball effect starts.

"Whereas if you come in and you think, 'We're talking about the best driver on the grid, so the chance that I'm slow at the start of the year is very high', you might as well accept it now and just work towards getting there.

"Of course, I'm hoping to be as fast as him. I'm hoping. But realistically, there are very few chances."

It was an answer that, in those few words, defined who he is as a person. That despite being given the daunting opportunity of a lifetime after just 23 Grands Prix under his belt, he is willing to accept being second best — for now — but identifying a goal to then work towards.

In truth, Hadjar deserved his promotion. Initially, he identified himself as a driver with commendable resolve after crashing on the formation lap of his maiden Grand Prix, caught out by the wet conditions at Melbourne's Albert Park.

Rookies with lesser mental strength might never have recovered. Hadjar, following a never-to-be-forgotten moment when Anthony Hamilton, father of seven-time Champion Lewis, put a comforting arm around his shoulders and offered soothing words of advice as the then 20-year-old disconsolately trudged his way back to Racing Bull's paddock building, bounced back.

Hadjar described that incident as "a punch in the face", but one that he "handled very well", reinforcing the belief he has in himself. Underlining his pragmatism, he said: "I believe everything happens for a reason and you move on.

“It’s part of my history. My first F1 start, I didn't take part in it, which sucks. But it is how it is. I know I have strong abilities to get back up on my feet.”

And he did exactly that. The French Algerian driver went on to display a distinguished level of speed and race craft that earned him plaudits throughout the campaign, never more so than after scoring his first podium with a season-high finish of third in the Dutch Grand Prix.

Naturally, there were mistakes, missed opportunities, but Hadjar did enough to convince the Red Bull hierarchy — team principal Laurent Mekies and long-time advisor Helmut Marko (before his departure at the end of last year), that he was worthy of the seat alongside Verstappen.

Yet Hadjar, with typical reasoning, does not see joining Red Bull as anything to crow about. "Signing a contract is not what I consider an achievement," he said. "An achievement would be living up to the expectations at Red Bull, doing the job. This would be an accomplishment."

He has a lot to live up to. For the past two seasons, in terms of performance and results, Red Bull has been without a second driver, and it has cost the team dearly.

Sergio Pérez handled the pressure well for a period of time, but ran his course in 2024 when he collected a wretched 49 points from the final 18 of 24 Grands Prix, leading to his exit.

In came Liam Lawson, disgracefully given just the first two Grands Prix of last season to prove himself before being unceremoniously demoted back to Racing Bulls, followed by Yuki Tsunoda, who also suffered in trying to adapt to a car set up for Verstappen.

It is why the new regulations offer Hadjar an opportunity to stamp his mark, to mould the car to his liking rather than conform to the direction applied for Verstappen. 

Hadjar was still pinching himself when we chatted with him last year, understandably so. "The journey, in general, has been very long, very difficult," he said.

"But I've always had this target in mind of being in the main team and being team-mates with the best driver in the world. I have moments where it feels surreal, and some moments where it feels very normal, because it's the only thing I do, right? I drive.

"But it's an awesome moment, hard to realise. It's not just Red Bull, it's just being a team-mate with Max. I'm so grateful because I'm just 21 and I get to see what the highest level in the world is like at such a young age. So, I'm very lucky."

And despite just a single season of Formula 1 under his belt, he is convinced he can handle the pressure about to come his way of being a Red Bull driver, and team-mate to one of the greatest drivers of all time. "I couldn't be more ready for this," he said. "It's perfect."

Images courtesy of Getty Images.