Isack Hadjar has emerged as a strong competitor, potentially breaking the trend of struggling second drivers at Red Bull. The young French talent began the 2026 season impressively, building on a solid rookie year at Racing Bulls, and his current performances are attracting real attention within the Formula 1 paddock.
As of mid-2026, the ongoing battle for supremacy within Red Bull takes centre stage. According to data sourced from Formula 1, the comparison between Hadjar and his teammate Max Verstappen provides intriguing insights into the dynamics of the team as they strive for championship glory.
Hadjar’s Competitive Delta Against Verstappen
An analysis of Isack Hadjar’s average qualifying delta against Verstappen since the start of the 2026 season reveals promising results. When compared to Verstappen’s previous teammates, Hadjar maintains an average deficit of just over 0.1 seconds, making him competitive. The last driver to match this level was Daniel Ricciardo in 2017, who recorded a delta of around 0.05 seconds during their season together.
This year, Hadjar’s performance has not only eclipsed that of drivers like Yuki Tsunoda, who posted a substantial gap of 0.6 seconds in 2025, but also surpassed Sergio Perez and Alex Albon who found themselves more than half a second behind Verstappen in prior seasons.
The Points Comparison with Verstappen
As the season progresses, Hadjar’s points tally reinforces his position relative to Verstappen. With approximately 41 points separating them after 11 races, he stands as one of the closer second drivers in recent history. This contrasts starkly with the previous season, where Verstappen built an imposing 388-point lead over Tsunoda.
In a broader context, Verstappen’s advantage has often exceeded 200 points over his teammates, further solidifying Hadjar’s commendable performance thus far. While last season’s figures were daunting, Hadjar’s current trajectory suggests that he might close the gap more effectively than those before him at Red Bull.
Potential to Rewrite the Second Seat Narrative
Reflecting on historical data, the only driver to outscore Verstappen while sharing a seat with him was Ricciardo in 2017. Inevitably, the benchmark for Hadjar remains his predecessor’s performance. The second half of 2026 will be important; if Hadjar’s current form continues, he could very well write a new chapter in Red Bull’s recent narrative of second-seat struggles.
The SportiveNews view
Hadjar’s performance signals a real shift for Red Bull’s second seat, where drivers have historically struggled against Verstappen. As we head into the latter part of the season, his ability to maintain this competitive edge could not only redefine his career but also alter perceptions of performance viability alongside Verstappen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average qualifying delta of Isack Hadjar to Verstappen?
Hadjar’s average qualifying delta to Verstappen stands at just over 0.1 seconds. This positions him as the closest teammate to Verstappen since Daniel Ricciardo in 2017.
How does Hadjar’s points gap compare to previous drivers at Red Bull?
Currently, Hadjar is 41 points behind Verstappen after 11 races. This gap is greatly better compared to previous pilots like Tsunoda and Perez, who faced deficits of over 200 points in their respective seasons.
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