Here’s a bold statement: Red Bull’s team dynamics are on the brink of another potential crisis, and it all hinges on how they handle their newest driver, Isack Hadjar. But here’s where it gets controversial—former F1 driver Derek Daly warns that if Red Bull doesn’t step up their support game, history could repeat itself, leaving the team in a familiar state of uncertainty. So, what’s the big deal? Let’s break it down.
Isack Hadjar has been tapped as the successor to Yuki Tsunoda for the 2026 season, stepping into a role that’s become notoriously challenging: being Max Verstappen’s teammate. And this is the part most people miss—Verstappen’s dominance isn’t just about his skill; it’s also about how the car has been tailored to his preferences, leaving his teammates struggling to keep up. This has created significant performance gaps and led to a revolving door of drivers at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters.
Daly emphasizes that Hadjar’s personal team will be working overtime during the winter break to prepare him mentally and technically for this high-pressure role. In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, Daly revealed, ‘Without a doubt, his management team is trying to program his mindset to avoid seeing Verstappen as an unbeatable force. They’re aiming for a strong start in the first few races to build his confidence and allow his talent to shine.’
Here’s the kicker: Daly doesn’t buy into the idea that Hadjar can remain emotionally unaffected by the pressure. ‘I don’t care what anybody says—every driver knows what happens when you go up against Verstappen. Once that thought is in your head, it stays there,’ he explained. Daly argues that emotional support is just as crucial as mechanical and technical backing, a point Red Bull has historically struggled with.
Take a look at the past: Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Tsunoda all faced challenges alongside Verstappen. The last truly competitive teammate Verstappen had was Daniel Ricciardo, who left the team at the end of the 2018 season. This is where opinions start to clash—Daly openly criticizes Red Bull for letting Ricciardo go, stating, ‘One of the biggest mistakes I ever saw was when they got rid of Ricciardo. He felt unwanted because the team was so focused on Max. That was Red Bull’s biggest blunder.’*
Ricciardo’s departure wasn’t just a loss of a talented driver; it was a symptom of a deeper issue within the team’s culture. Fast forward to today, and Hadjar, who is younger and less experienced than Ricciardo, is stepping into a similar situation. Daly warns, ‘The team better hope he starts strong, or they risk becoming a one-car team again.’
So, what do you think? Is Daly’s criticism fair, or is Red Bull’s focus on Verstappen justified? Could Hadjar break the cycle, or is he destined to face the same challenges as his predecessors? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
