Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has said that the 20-year-old French driver “certainly has the mental strength to hold his own against Verstappen.”
He praised Hadjar’s emotional control under pressure, something Marko believes has become rare in Formula 1.
Red Bull have several candidates for the seat, including Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson.
Tsunoda currently occupies the spot, but his position is under scrutiny because his performance has lagged behind Verstappen and others.
Hadjar, meanwhile, has impressed in his rookie season with Racing Bulls. He scored a podium at Zandvoort and has adapted quickly to new tracks, according to Marko: “When he comes to a new track, three laps are enough. Nothing affects him.”
Red Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, has said the team are in no hurry to pick Verstappen’s teammate for next season. They want to see more races before making a final call.
Hadjar himself has been cautious about a premature promotion. He admitted he does not yet feel ready to race alongside Verstappen, saying he would prefer to prove his worth with Racing Bulls first.
Marko has also said Red Bull want to draw from their existing driver pool when filling the seats in 2026. He noted that if a “super talent” outside that pool emerges, they would consider it, but that isn’t the case at present.
Hadjar is the leading contender to become Verstappen’s teammate in 2026. The team are observing closely, weighing experience, mental strength and consistency, and no final decision has been made yet.
