Hadjar’s “Clean Slate” Advantage Could Help Him Succeed Alongside Verstappen
“He has the advantage of the new regulations.”
That’s what former F1 team boss Guenther Steiner believes will make all the difference for Isack Hadjar when he joins Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing in 2026.
Steiner thinks Hadjar has a much better shot at success than Verstappen’s previous teammates.
“I believe Hadjar is a really good racing driver,” Steiner told Austrian outlet Krone. “Secondly, he has the advantage of the new regulations. This allows him to start from scratch with Max.”
It’s a totally different situation from what other drivers faced.
“[Liam] Lawson and [Yuki] Tsunoda, however, were put in a car with which Max had a lot of experience, and they weren’t able to catch up quickly,” Steiner explained.
The playing field will be more level, too.
Steiner pointed out that F1’s incredibly tight competition made it even harder for previous teammates to match Verstappen. But Hadjar won’t face the same uphill battle.
“Hadjar has better conditions in this respect, and the motto must be that Red Bull finds a talent they believe can become nearly as good as Max,” the 60-year-old former Haas boss added.
Red Bull officially announced Hadjar would replace Tsunoda for 2026 just before the final race of the 2025 season.
At just 21 years old, the French rookie has already shown serious potential. He grabbed a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix and outperformed his teammate Lawson in his very first F1 season.
## Hadjar feeling confident
Hadjar himself isn’t shy about his chances alongside the multiple world champion.
He’s already mentioned how crucial the regulation changes will be in helping him adjust to life as Verstappen’s teammate.
With both drivers starting from zero with the new cars, Hadjar believes he can hit the ground running in 2026.
## F1’s post-season buzz continues
With all the excitement following the 2025 season finale still buzzing, there’s plenty to keep up with.
Our paddock updates bring you all the latest driver moves, team reactions, and behind-the-scenes insights as the 2026 preparations begin.
Check out our latest episode to stay in the loop with everything happening after the final checkered flag of the season.
