The second seat at Red Bull Racing has swallowed talented drivers before. Pierre Gasly struggled with its pressure. Alex Albon fought the same battle. Sergio Perez lasted longer, but his form eventually faded while Max Verstappen continued setting the standard.
Isack Hadjar has chosen a different route. There have been no victories, podium celebrations or bold declarations in 2026. Instead, the Frenchman has built his case through controlled, disciplined Sundays.
Hadjar entered the summer break with 7 consecutive top 6 finishes and 68 championship points. He sits 8th after 11 rounds, only 41 points behind Verstappen.
More importantly, Hadjar has brought stability to a seat that has repeatedly caused Red Bull problems. His form gives the team points, strategic flexibility and a driver who appears increasingly comfortable with the pressure of racing beside a 4 time world champion.
Hadjar Has Stopped The Revolving Door
Hadjar’s season began with several warning signs. He retired in Australia, collected 4 points in China, finished 12th in Japan and suffered another retirement in Miami.
Then the rhythm changed.
A 5th place in Canada started his run. Hadjar followed it with 4th in Monaco, 6th in Barcelona, 6th in Austria and 5th at Silverstone. He then added consecutive 6th place finishes in Belgium and Hungary.
Those 7 races produced 62 points. Hadjar delivered across street circuits, technical layouts and high-speed venues. His form travelled with him rather than disappearing whenever the track changed.
Two finishes proved especially valuable. Verstappen retired in Monaco and Great Britain, but Hadjar kept Red Bull on the scoreboard with 4th and 5th. By salvaging strong results when the lead car failed, he showed that the team’s entire weekend no longer depends on 1 driver.
That reliability matters inside a garage where the second car has often fallen out of contention. Red Bull needs Hadjar to score points, share useful information and give its strategists another weapon on Sundays.
Mekies has stopped short of confirming the 2027 line-up, but his message about Hadjar’s progress was unmistakable. He praised the Frenchman’s work, highlighted the strength Red Bull now has in its second car and suggested that continuity represents the logical next step.
“It is good news that we have a strong second driver for the first time in quite a long time,” Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said.
For a team known for making ruthless driver decisions, that praise carries weight. Hungary then provided a clear example of why Red Bull has become increasingly comfortable with Hadjar.
Hungary Showed His Value Under Pressure
Hadjar’s 6th place at the Hungaroring was more than another clean result. His race demonstrated why Red Bull values a composed second driver beside Verstappen.
Starting 8th, Hadjar gained a position when George Russell’s anti-stall system activated on the grid. He settled into 7th while the McLarens, Ferraris and Verstappen fought at the front.
The key sequence arrived during the opening pit cycle. Oscar Piastri emerged behind Hadjar, with Lando Norris close behind. Hadjar defended firmly and forced Piastri to wait until the following run towards Turn 1 before completing the pass.
Norris attacked moments later. Hadjar tried to respond, ran slightly wide and lost another position, but he quickly understood the wider situation. He gave Verstappen space and then slotted ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Those few seconds helped the lead Red Bull. Hadjar delayed both McLarens, protected Verstappen’s track position and kept himself in contention for another strong finish.
Hamilton later emerged behind Hadjar after making a second stop, forcing the Frenchman to defend again. Hadjar eventually ran wide at Turn 13, allowing the Ferrari driver to complete the pass on the approach to Turn 1.
The mistake did not unravel his afternoon. Hadjar remained composed, managed his tyres and crossed the line in 6th. Verstappen finished 2nd after Red Bull gambled during a late virtual safety car period.
That result gave Hadjar his 7th straight top 6 finish. More significantly, his defence against Piastri and Norris showed that he could influence the fight at the front while still protecting his own points.
He was not simply circulating behind Verstappen. Hadjar was reading the race, responding to pressure and making decisions that helped both sides of the garage.
The Gap To Verstappen Still Matters
Hadjar is not setting the grid on fire. He has no podiums in 2026 and remains the lowest-placed driver among the 8 competitors representing Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.
Verstappen reached the summer break in 6th with 109 points. Hadjar sits 8th with 68. The 41-point difference reflects Verstappen’s superior peak performance, including 4 podium finishes during a difficult opening half of the season.
Red Bull will still expect Hadjar to qualify closer to his teammate. Regular top 6 results are useful, but podiums would turn steady form into a genuine threat.
That comparison also needs perspective. Verstappen is a 4 time world champion around whom Red Bull has built its operation. Hadjar is completing only his second Formula 1 campaign and his first season with the senior team.
Matching Verstappen immediately is not the requirement. Hadjar must keep scoring, support Red Bull’s strategy and provide clear technical feedback. Most importantly, he must avoid the prolonged drops in confidence and form that damaged previous partnerships.
His recent run suggests he understands that challenge. Hadjar is not trying to beat Verstappen at every corner or force a result that the car cannot deliver. He is extracting points, limiting mistakes and steadily closing the gap.
Red Bull Has Little Reason To Start Again
Replacing Hadjar would restart Red Bull’s revolving door without guaranteeing more pace.
He already understands the RB22, the engineering group and the demands of working beside Verstappen. Hadjar has also recovered from a difficult opening without allowing retirements or mistakes to damage his confidence.
Continuity would let Red Bull strengthen a partnership that is beginning to work. It would also give the team a settled driver line-up while its technical department and power unit programme continue to develop.
Another change would force a new driver to learn the car, adjust to the pressure and establish trust with the engineers. Red Bull has followed that path before, often without solving the underlying problem.
No 2027 contract has been announced. Hadjar still has half a season to protect his position and prove that his recent form can last.
The direction, however, is becoming clear. He collects points, fights rival cars and continues finding pace. For a seat defined by turbulence, Hadjar’s quiet consistency may be exactly what Red Bull needs.
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FAQs
Why could Isack Hadjar stay at Red Bull for 2027?
Hadjar has delivered 7 consecutive top 6 finishes. His consistency gives Red Bull points, stability and more strategic options.
How many points did Isack Hadjar have at the summer break?
Hadjar entered the break with 68 points. He sat 8th in the drivers’ standings after 11 rounds.
How far was Hadjar behind Max Verstappen?
Hadjar trailed Verstappen by 41 points at the summer break. Verstappen had 109 points, while Hadjar had 68.
What did Hadjar do at the Hungarian Grand Prix?
Hadjar finished 6th and defended against both McLarens. His work also helped protect Verstappen’s position and Red Bull’s strategy.
Has Red Bull confirmed Hadjar for 2027?
No contract has been announced. However, Laurent Mekies has strongly suggested that retaining Hadjar would be the logical decision.
