Lewis Hamilton worried about Isack Hadjar: "We all know what happens when you go to Red Bull"

Besides the setting of this F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, Isack Hajjar was one of the main attractions at the start of the weekend. Having officially signed with Red Bull for 2026, will the Frenchman suffer the same fate as his predecessors?

Published 06/12/2025 à 14:01

Mathieu Chambenoit

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Lewis Hamilton worried about Isack Hadjar: "We all know what happens when you go to Red Bull"

© Eric Alonso / DPPI

“It won’t be the same car at all next year. We’ll have the car we have. The team will build it. I have to adapt to it, and Max will have to do the same job.” Isack Hadjar elaborated confidently at a press conference this Thursday. And if the car evolves in a certain direction, at least I'll be there to feel the change. And ideally, I'll be able to contribute to it. That would be the ideal scenario. And besides, you know, I've never done the same thing two years in a row. I've always driven different cars, so I don't know what it's like to do the same thing twice, the same job. So I think I'm pretty good at adapting, I'm confident.

Despite the confidence displayed by the Frenchman before the weekend's hostilities began, Isack Hadjar is generating a lot of commentary regarding his transfer to the team. Red Bull. Set apart Daniel Ricciardo In another context, Segio Pérez was indeed the best second driver behind Max Verstappen at a time when the car was intended to be particularly dominant. However, the unfortunate tradition of Red Bull's second drivers is perpetuated by the dismissal of Yuki tsunoda at the end of this year. In many ways, this is cause for concern. Lewis Hamilton, childhood idol of the Tricolore, and natural mentor since the first Grand Prix of the season.

ALSO READ > Isack Hadjar is already envisioning himself alongside Max Verstappen: "In terms of mentality, we have things in common."

Hadjar takes on the prophecy at Red Bull

"I'm not going to lie, it worries me," Lewis Hamilton revealed to ViaplayI think he's done a fantastic job this year, and he's still very young and learning a lot about himself and his environment. But he's done a phenomenal job this year, and his approach is excellent. 

While aware of the intentions of previous drivers who had been part of the Red Bull team as second-stringers, Lewis Hamilton nevertheless wants to be humble in his analysis. “We all know what happens when you go to Red Bull, the context you're immersed in, and obviously, I haven't been there, so I can't speak from experience, but from the outside, it's clearly quite difficult,” he added"Where he is, he seems to be benefiting from a really favorable environment, and Yuki is an exceptional driver, but all the drivers who go there have a similar experience, which doesn't mean they aren't excellent. It's clearly something else, so I hope changes will be made to give him the proper support."

With Laurent Mekies as Team Principal, Isack Hadjar hopes to benefit from a favorable environment at Red Bull, as he competes in his final Grand Prix this weekend. F1 alongside Racing Bulls.

Mathieu Chambenoit

Responsible for the single-seater categories (F2, F3, FRECA, Eurocup-3, F4...), I enjoy discussing F1, Endurance, or MotoGP.

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3 Comment (s)

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vincent moyet

06/12/2025 at 05:57 a.m.

He has a few months left to dream about his ideal scenario of contributing to the development. At the start of the season, the car will be completely new, so he'll have to take advantage of that. But after that, development will be geared towards Verstappen.

Yves-Henri RANDIER

06/12/2025 at 04:46 a.m.

Certainly... but with a completely new set of regulations, even if the RB22 was developed entirely around Verstappen, if it doesn't work, it could "help" Hadjar because the team and Mekies will certainly listen more to his technical feedback than under the Horner era and 100% data!

1

L

Lucas Paul

06/12/2025 at 04:21 a.m.

Good point Lewis, I already explained it! When you're the second driver at Red Bull, you sign up to be a slave driver and car to Max :(:(:(:(:(:

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