Isack Hadjar Warned to Avoid Racing Against Max Verstappen: 'That Would Be the Wrong Thing'
Isack Hadjar has been advised to steer clear of racing against Max Verstappen when they become Red Bull teammates this season, despite confidence in his readiness for the challenge.
Following a stellar rookie season with Racing Bulls last year, and his recovery from the shock of a formation lap crash at the Australian Grand Prix, Hadjar earned a promotion to Red Bull.
The French-Algerian driver becomes Verstappen's seventh teammate in the Dutchman's 10 years in Formula 1, as Red Bull continues its quest for the perfect foil to their superstar, though Sergio Perez came close before falling by the wayside.
Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer believes Hadjar has gained sufficient skills during his 12 months with the team to ensure a smooth transition into his new role, despite the demands that will be placed upon him.
When asked about Hadjar's prospects of competing against Verstappen on the track, Bayer offered a thoughtful piece of advice.
"It's one of the intriguing aspects of our team," Bayer said in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365 at the end of last season.
"We don't view our drivers as rivals because our goal is to elevate both of them, and I believe that will help him focus on his own performance. That should be his primary focus.
"I don't think anyone's going to race against Max, as that would be the wrong approach from the start.
"You should go there with pride, knowing you're racing for Red Bull Racing. You'll be in a high-pressure, high-focus environment.
"I often joke that if you're in positions 11 to 20 on the grid, you might as well grab a coffee mug and wait for the start.
"But if you're in the top 10, you'll have media, sponsors, guests, and VIPs circling you. I believe the same will happen to Isack."
Despite his concerns, Bayer expressed confidence in the 21-year-old, stating, "However, I believe he's well-prepared. He's intelligent, he's trained, and we've done everything as a team to get him ready for this journey. The rest, we'll see."
