Verstappen teammate fate ’shouldn’t happen to me’

Isack Hadjar says working alongside Max Verstappen has confirmed exactly why the Dutchman is regarded as Formula 1’s benchmark driver.

The 21-year-old Frenchman became Verstappen’s eighth teammate in Formula 1 earlier this season and, unlike many predecessors, has so far managed to remain competitive alongside the quadruple world champion.

Now fresh from his breakthrough podium in Monaco - later lost after Pierre Gasly’s successful appeal - Hadjar admits he is still adjusting to life at the front.

"Sometimes I think about it and I look back, and then I think: I’ve done pretty well," he told Viaplay.

"At other times, I think: this is exactly where I belong."

He said one of the biggest benefits has been access to Verstappen’s data. Asked where the Dutchman impresses most, Hadjar did not hesitate.

"Every corner," he replied immediately.

"If you’re faster than Max in one corner, that already means you’re doing very well."

Having raced against talented teammates throughout Formula 4, Formula 3, Formula 2 and now Formula 1, Hadjar says Verstappen stands apart from anyone he has encountered before.

"Every teammate has certain weaknesses and then you’re faster in some corners all weekend," he explained. "With Max, everything is constant and of a very high level.

"That’s impressive."

The Frenchman is well aware of the long list of drivers whose careers suffered after partnering Verstappen, including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.

However, he insists the prospect never worried him.

"I was rather curious why that happened," Hadjar said.

After seven race weekends alongside Verstappen, he was asked if he had discovered the answer. "I didn’t find the answer," he smiled.

"But I do know it shouldn’t happen to me."

Hadjar also dismissed suggestions that Verstappen receives preferential treatment within Red Bull. "If we have equal cars, which we have now, I know it will be fine," he said.

When asked whether he expected the team to continue providing identical equipment, Hadjar quickly clarified his position.

"Yes, of course. That’s how a team works. This is Red Bull Racing.

"They know how to make two cars perform well."