Isack Hadjar is positive about his first months with the Red Bull Racing team. Max Verstappen’s teammate has absolutely no easy task next to the four-time world champion, but he is satisfied with the first three races. “I’m not far behind Max.”
In recent years it has become apparent that it is difficult to be a teammate of Verstappen. The Dutchman defeated his team mates one by one. This year it is up to Hadjar to drive alongside Verstappen. A task he certainly did not take lightly when he joined the team at the start of this season.
“In a way it worried me, because you see the differences between Max and his teammates. Then you think: ‘Wow, that’s striking.’ But at the same time I am realistic,” says Hadjar in conversation with F1.com.
“It’s a new regulation and we have the same car. If I believe I’m good enough, then I’m good enough. In these first three races everything went as I expected,” says a confident Hadjar.
The Frenchman has been twice faster during qualifying so far. The gap to Verstappen does not seem that big at the start of this season. “It is a small sample,” says Hadjar honestly.
Moreover, it is difficult to shine in the new Red Bull car. “It’s very difficult to drive this car, but I’m not far behind Max and I’m happy with how I’m performing. I’ve gotten the most out of it. All in all, it’s going pretty well.”
Strong first season
Hadjar made his first kilometers in Formula 1 last year. The young Frenchman drove for Red Bull’s sister team. At Racing Bulls, Hadjar took his first podium place in the sport during the Dutch Grand Prix. That gave the driver a good boost with a view to this year.
“I knew that if I just did my job, I would get that seat and that promotion. To be honest, that was my goal from the beginning of the year. I said I wanted to take it step by step, but in reality I just wanted to have a very strong season and move on to Red Bull,” said Hadjar.
