The 2026 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be a fascinating one, with the Red Bull team facing a familiar challenge: finding a suitable driver for their second seat. Isack Hadjar, the latest addition to the team, is already falling into a pattern that has plagued Red Bull's second drivers for years. The question remains: can Hadjar break free from this 'cursed' pattern and find success alongside Max Verstappen?
The curse of the second Red Bull seat is a well-documented phenomenon. Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure in 2018, no driver has been able to truly hold their own against the dominant Verstappen. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda have all tried and failed to make an impact, with their performances trailing behind their teammate. Perez, in particular, shed light on the psychological toll this takes, describing it as a 'very difficult job for a driver' that 'no driver can survive.'
Hadjar's 2026 seat came as a result of a breakout rookie campaign in 2025 with Racing Bulls, where he impressed with a podium finish in the Netherlands. However, his transition to the senior team has been challenging. In his first few races, Hadjar has struggled to find his footing, with a DNF in Melbourne and Miami, and a 12th-place finish in Japan. His only points came in China, where he finished in 8th place.
The Red Bull package that Hadjar is inheriting is not the quickest on the grid, and the upgrades brought to Miami allowed Verstappen to shine. Verstappen's driving style, as described by Albon, is a unique and sensitive one, with a high level of sharpness regarding the front end. This makes it incredibly difficult for teammates to adapt, and the longer Verstappen drives with new upgrades, the more confident he becomes, while his teammates struggle to keep up.
The pressure is mounting for Hadjar, as the safety net of a 'demotion' to Racing Bulls is gone. Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are performing well for the squad, leaving Hadjar with no room for error. The departure of Helmut Marko may grant Hadjar a slightly longer leash, but the quick and unforgiving nature of the Red Bull seat means that he must find a way to break free from this cycle quickly.
As the season progresses, Hadjar's performance will be crucial to the team's success. The question remains: can he overcome the curse of the second Red Bull seat and find his place in Formula 1's elite? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the 2026 season is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with Hadjar's journey at the heart of it.
