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<p>Isack Hadjar is falling into a very familiar pattern in the second <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/topic/red-bull-racing-2695" target="" rel="" title="Red Bull">Red Bull</a> seat.</p><p>Following the upgrades introduced in <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-miami-grand-prix-2026-kimi-antonelli-wins-results-oscar-piastri-podium-last-lap-pass-video-mclaren-20260504-p5ztd4.html" target="" rel="" title="Miami">Miami</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/max-emilian-verstappen-1nvr" target="" rel="" title="Max Verstappen">Max Verstappen</a> found a new level of synergy with the car. His new teammate however, trailed further behind.</p><p>After being disqualified from qualifying, Hadjar crashed out of the race on Monday (AEST) and left Hard Rock Stadium empty-handed and "pissed off" at his costly error.</p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/lachie-neale-trade-rating-potential-next-clubs-for-brisbane-lions-free-agent-20260505-p5zu0j.html"><strong>Where Collingwood ranks among Neale free agency contenders</strong></a></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-latrell-mitchell-press-conference-media-ban-ended-south-sydney-rabbitohs-campbell-graham-state-of-origin-selection-hopes-20260505-p5ztyp.html"><strong>Latrell ends self-imposed media ban for 'special occasion'</strong></a></p><p></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/paul-gallen-opinion-2026-news-perth-bears-vs-png-chiefs-player-recruitment-jarome-luai-james-bracey-video-criticism-tax-free-20260505-p5ztvt.html" target="" rel="" title=""><strong>Bears detail that stunned Gal before clash with TV host</strong></a></p><p>"This was a tough one, just like breaking the car is pissing me off a lot," he said.</p><img data-id="8572e022-466d-4cb5-b13f-67a0ccb819e5" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/8572e022-466d-4cb5-b13f-67a0ccb819e5" caption="Isack Hadjar slams his fists on his Red Bull car after an untimely crash. " alt="Isack Hadjar slams his fists on his Red Bull car after an untimely crash. " source="Getty" data-width="1979" data-height="1113" fs="true" master-key="8572e022-466d-4cb5-b13f-67a0ccb819e5" options="{"offset":{"x":0,"y":-89},"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1979,"originalHeight":1292}"/><p>"I think that was easy points, considering the car I had. I just threw it all away.</p><p>"I can't really remember (the crash), because it went by very quickly. So I don't have very good memory of exactly what happened, just felt like a big hit.</p><p>"I just didn't see it coming, and then the car was broken. I went in the other wall, couldn't stop it. It just shows how much you need to be focused, and I wasn't."</p><p>This loss of confidence has become a hallmark for both young and experienced drivers tasked with partnering arguably one of the greatest drivers in <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/formula-1" target="" rel="" title="Formula 1">Formula 1</a> history.</p><p>It is difficult to recall a time when Red Bull's second seat was truly locked in since <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/daniel-ricciardo-jgb" target="" rel="" title="Daniel Ricciardo">Daniel Ricciardo</a>'s departure at the end of 2018.</p><p>Since then, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/pierre-gasly-2682" target="" rel="" title="Pierre Gasly">Pierre Gasly</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/daniel-ricciardo-helmut-marko-swipe-at-australian-f1-driver-20201230-p5iqc1.html" target="" rel="" title="Alex Albon">Alex Albon</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/sergio-perez-26c4" target="" rel="" title="Sergio Perez">Sergio Perez</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/liam-lawson-6h0e" target="" rel="" title="Liam Lawson">Liam Lawson</a> and <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/yuki-tsunoda-6g56" target="" rel="" title="Yuki Tsunoda">Yuki Tsunoda</a> have all tried their hand and been brushed aside.</p><img data-id="11033405-de41-4fa6-84bc-be34c825e1a8" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/11033405-de41-4fa6-84bc-be34c825e1a8" caption="Red Bull's list of rejected stars. Can Hadjar survive the ongoing curse? " alt="Red Bull's list of rejected stars. Can Hadjar survive the ongoing curse? " source="Getty" data-width="1080" data-height="720" fs="true" master-key="11033405-de41-4fa6-84bc-be34c825e1a8"/><p>Perez lifted the lid in 2025 regarding the psychological toll of being Verstappen's teammate, offering a grim perspective on the second seat curse.</p><p>"The minute I signed my exit deal with Red Bull, I knew that 'poor guy who comes here' because it's a very difficult place," he admitted.</p><p>"Obviously, being next to Max is very difficult, but being next to Max in Red Bull is something people don't understand, and there are so many things that I could tell, but simply it's a very difficult job for a driver.</p><p>"There is no driver that can survive there. It doesn't matter if you bring a Hamilton or a Leclerc; whoever you bring is going to struggle massively.</p><img data-id="943e09b6-6e9d-4943-93d3-c0b7d4044607" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/943e09b6-6e9d-4943-93d3-c0b7d4044607" caption="The retired car of Isack Hadjar on the side of the track at Albert Park." alt="The retired car of Isack Hadjar on the side of the track at Albert Park." source="LAT Images" data-width="1024" data-height="576" fs="true" master-key="943e09b6-6e9d-4943-93d3-c0b7d4044607" options="{"offset":{"x":0,"y":76},"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1024,"originalHeight":727}"/><p>"It's a very unique driving style you have to constantly be adapting to the needs of Max, simple as that."</p><p>Hadjar earned his 2026 seat after a breakout rookie campaign in 2025 with Racing Bulls, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-oscar-piastri-wins-dutch-grand-prix-lando-norris-engine-breaks-down-20250901-p5mrbb.html" target="" rel="" title="highlighted by a podium in the Netherlands">highlighted by a podium in the Netherlands</a>, effectively <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-red-bull-racing-2026-line-up-isack-hadjar-promoted-yuki-tsunoda-axed-max-verstappen-new-teammate-20251203-p5nkf9.html" target="" rel="" title="displacing Tsunoda">displacing Tsunoda</a>.</p><p>However, he is now encountering the same technical wall that most of the Red Bull rejects have faced.</p><p>A DNF result in <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/topic/formula-1-australian-grand-prix-jg9" target="" rel="" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> and Miami, 12th in Japan and his only points haul coming after an eighth place result in China - it's not been the start Hadjar would have wanted in the senior team.</p><p>It should be mentioned, Hadjar is inheriting a completely new Red Bull package that is currently looking like the third-best car in the field, not the quickest car like others had.</p><p>But the upgrades Red Bull brought to Miami allowed Verstappen to come alive in his typical style.</p><p><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/news-2026-f1-miami-grand-prix-qualifying-max-verstappen-dominates-oscar-piastri-disappointment-20260503-p5zt7e.html" target="" rel="" title="He claimed second position on the grid in qualifying">He claimed second position on the grid in qualifying</a> and if not for a spin on the opening lap, would have surely been in the mix for the victory.</p><p>Albon earlier described this game of never ending catch-up that Verstappen's teammates face once the Dutchman finds his rhythm.</p><p>He argued that the longer Verstappen is driving the car with new upgrades, the more the Dutchman becomes confident, while his Red Bull teammates battle their waning confidence.</p><p>"Many people say that the car is built for him, he's a bit like <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/michael-schumacher-4g2" target="" rel="" title="Michael Schumacher">Michael Schumacher</a> at Ferrari. He has created this team around him, but the truth is that the car is what it is. He is very fast, and he has a unique driving style, it's not so easy to adapt to it," Albon said on the <em>High Performance</em> podcast.</p><img data-id="8157e244-9027-467e-a2de-bf2fde8fd09f" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/8157e244-9027-467e-a2de-bf2fde8fd09f" caption="Analysis of Red Bull's second seat in qualifying. " alt="Analysis of Red Bull's second seat. " source="Substack" data-width="1456" data-height="819" fs="true" master-key="8157e244-9027-467e-a2de-bf2fde8fd09f" options="{"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1456,"originalHeight":819}"/><p>"Everyone has their own driving style. Max - his level of sensitivity and sharpness regarding the front end is on a whole other level.</p><p>"It's like turning the sensitivity up (on a computer) to the maximum, moving the mouse, and having it move all over the screen. It's a bit like what you feel, it becomes so fast that you become tense.</p><p>"What ended up happening ... you start off being slightly less fast but not by much.</p><p>"And then as the season progresses and Max wants the front end to be sharper and it becomes sharper, Max gets faster and faster.</p><p>"To catch up on your delay, you must take a little more risk. And when you know that you only have a few attempts left before the final session, you try a little harder and then, 'okay, I went out, I crashed'.</p><img data-id="42885129-2f3c-45d0-a6f8-95db6437c5b8" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/42885129-2f3c-45d0-a6f8-95db6437c5b8" caption="Isack Hadjar has been tasked to partner with Max Verstappen for the 2026 season. " alt="Isack Hadjar has been tasked to partner with Max Verstappen for the 2026 season. " source="NurPhoto via Getty Images" data-width="1024" data-height="576" fs="true" master-key="42885129-2f3c-45d0-a6f8-95db6437c5b8" options="{"offset":{"x":0,"y":-74},"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1024,"originalHeight":725}"/><p>"So you have to start over, you have lost some confidence and it takes a little more time.</p><p>"The gap widens a bit and then the next time you try to go out, you will spin out again. And it starts to have a snowball effect and each time the car becomes livelier, you start to get more tense."</p><p>Hadjar must now find a way to break this cycle quickly.</p><p>Unlike previous years, the safety net of a 'demotion' to <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/topic/rb-6gkr" target="" rel="" title="Racing Bulls">Racing Bulls</a> is vanishing.</p><p>Liam Lawson and <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2026-arvid-lindblad-teen-prediction-to-lando-norris-exclusive-interview-20260305-p5o87z.html" target="" rel="" title="rookie Arvid Lindblad">rookie Arvid Lindblad</a> are driving like a formidable duo for the squad and Hadjar has nowhere to go but out.</p><p>While the <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2025-helmut-marko-to-leave-red-bull-max-verstappen-future-20251209-p5nm42.html" target="" rel="" title="departure of the famously 'trigger-happy' Helmut Marko">departure of the famously 'trigger-happy' Helmut Marko</a> from the Red Bull outfit may grant Hadjar a slightly longer leash than his predecessors, the pressure is mounting as auditions in the cursed Red Bull seat are famously quick and unforgiving.</p><p>Formula 1 resumes back on track in Montreal, Canada, with the next race set for May 25.</p> <p>Isack Hadjar is falling into a very familiar pattern in the second <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/topic/red-bull-racing-2695" target="" rel="" title="Red Bull">Red Bull</a> seat.</p><p>Following the upgrades introduced in <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-miami-grand-prix-2026-kimi-antonelli-wins-results-oscar-piastri-podium-last-lap-pass-video-mclaren-20260504-p5ztd4.html" target="" rel="" title="Miami">Miami</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/max-emilian-verstappen-1nvr" target="" rel="" title="Max Verstappen">Max Verstappen</a> found a new level of synergy with the car. His new teammate however, trailed further behind.</p><p>After being disqualified from qualifying, Hadjar crashed out of the race on Monday (AEST) and left Hard Rock Stadium empty-handed and "pissed off" at his costly error.</p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/lachie-neale-trade-rating-potential-next-clubs-for-brisbane-lions-free-agent-20260505-p5zu0j.html"><strong>Where Collingwood ranks among Neale free agency contenders</strong></a></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-latrell-mitchell-press-conference-media-ban-ended-south-sydney-rabbitohs-campbell-graham-state-of-origin-selection-hopes-20260505-p5ztyp.html"><strong>Latrell ends self-imposed media ban for 'special occasion'</strong></a></p><p></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/paul-gallen-opinion-2026-news-perth-bears-vs-png-chiefs-player-recruitment-jarome-luai-james-bracey-video-criticism-tax-free-20260505-p5ztvt.html" target="" rel="" title=""><strong>Bears detail that stunned Gal before clash with TV host</strong></a></p><p>"This was a tough one, just like breaking the car is pissing me off a lot," he said.</p><img data-id="8572e022-466d-4cb5-b13f-67a0ccb819e5" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/8572e022-466d-4cb5-b13f-67a0ccb819e5" caption="Isack Hadjar slams his fists on his Red Bull car after an untimely crash. " alt="Isack Hadjar slams his fists on his Red Bull car after an untimely crash. " source="Getty" data-width="1979" data-height="1113" fs="true" master-key="8572e022-466d-4cb5-b13f-67a0ccb819e5" options="{"offset":{"x":0,"y":-89},"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1979,"originalHeight":1292}"/><p>"I think that was easy points, considering the car I had. I just threw it all away.</p><p>"I can't really remember (the crash), because it went by very quickly. So I don't have very good memory of exactly what happened, just felt like a big hit.</p><p>"I just didn't see it coming, and then the car was broken. I went in the other wall, couldn't stop it. It just shows how much you need to be focused, and I wasn't."</p><p>This loss of confidence has become a hallmark for both young and experienced drivers tasked with partnering arguably one of the greatest drivers in <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/formula-1" target="" rel="" title="Formula 1">Formula 1</a> history.</p><p>It is difficult to recall a time when Red Bull's second seat was truly locked in since <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/daniel-ricciardo-jgb" target="" rel="" title="Daniel Ricciardo">Daniel Ricciardo</a>'s departure at the end of 2018.</p><p>Since then, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/pierre-gasly-2682" target="" rel="" title="Pierre Gasly">Pierre Gasly</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/daniel-ricciardo-helmut-marko-swipe-at-australian-f1-driver-20201230-p5iqc1.html" target="" rel="" title="Alex Albon">Alex Albon</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/sergio-perez-26c4" target="" rel="" title="Sergio Perez">Sergio Perez</a>, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/liam-lawson-6h0e" target="" rel="" title="Liam Lawson">Liam Lawson</a> and <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/yuki-tsunoda-6g56" target="" rel="" title="Yuki Tsunoda">Yuki Tsunoda</a> have all tried their hand and been brushed aside.</p><img data-id="11033405-de41-4fa6-84bc-be34c825e1a8" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/11033405-de41-4fa6-84bc-be34c825e1a8" caption="Red Bull's list of rejected stars. Can Hadjar survive the ongoing curse? " alt="Red Bull's list of rejected stars. Can Hadjar survive the ongoing curse? " source="Getty" data-width="1080" data-height="720" fs="true" master-key="11033405-de41-4fa6-84bc-be34c825e1a8"/><p>Perez lifted the lid in 2025 regarding the psychological toll of being Verstappen's teammate, offering a grim perspective on the second seat curse.</p><p>"The minute I signed my exit deal with Red Bull, I knew that 'poor guy who comes here' because it's a very difficult place," he admitted.</p><p>"Obviously, being next to Max is very difficult, but being next to Max in Red Bull is something people don't understand, and there are so many things that I could tell, but simply it's a very difficult job for a driver.</p><p>"There is no driver that can survive there. It doesn't matter if you bring a Hamilton or a Leclerc; whoever you bring is going to struggle massively.</p><img data-id="943e09b6-6e9d-4943-93d3-c0b7d4044607" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/943e09b6-6e9d-4943-93d3-c0b7d4044607" caption="The retired car of Isack Hadjar on the side of the track at Albert Park." alt="The retired car of Isack Hadjar on the side of the track at Albert Park." source="LAT Images" data-width="1024" data-height="576" fs="true" master-key="943e09b6-6e9d-4943-93d3-c0b7d4044607" options="{"offset":{"x":0,"y":76},"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1024,"originalHeight":727}"/><p>"It's a very unique driving style you have to constantly be adapting to the needs of Max, simple as that."</p><p>Hadjar earned his 2026 seat after a breakout rookie campaign in 2025 with Racing Bulls, <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-oscar-piastri-wins-dutch-grand-prix-lando-norris-engine-breaks-down-20250901-p5mrbb.html" target="" rel="" title="highlighted by a podium in the Netherlands">highlighted by a podium in the Netherlands</a>, effectively <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-red-bull-racing-2026-line-up-isack-hadjar-promoted-yuki-tsunoda-axed-max-verstappen-new-teammate-20251203-p5nkf9.html" target="" rel="" title="displacing Tsunoda">displacing Tsunoda</a>.</p><p>However, he is now encountering the same technical wall that most of the Red Bull rejects have faced.</p><p>A DNF result in <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/topic/formula-1-australian-grand-prix-jg9" target="" rel="" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> and Miami, 12th in Japan and his only points haul coming after an eighth place result in China - it's not been the start Hadjar would have wanted in the senior team.</p><p>It should be mentioned, Hadjar is inheriting a completely new Red Bull package that is currently looking like the third-best car in the field, not the quickest car like others had.</p><p>But the upgrades Red Bull brought to Miami allowed Verstappen to come alive in his typical style.</p><p><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/news-2026-f1-miami-grand-prix-qualifying-max-verstappen-dominates-oscar-piastri-disappointment-20260503-p5zt7e.html" target="" rel="" title="He claimed second position on the grid in qualifying">He claimed second position on the grid in qualifying</a> and if not for a spin on the opening lap, would have surely been in the mix for the victory.</p><p>Albon earlier described this game of never ending catch-up that Verstappen's teammates face once the Dutchman finds his rhythm.</p><p>He argued that the longer Verstappen is driving the car with new upgrades, the more the Dutchman becomes confident, while his Red Bull teammates battle their waning confidence.</p><p>"Many people say that the car is built for him, he's a bit like <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/michael-schumacher-4g2" target="" rel="" title="Michael Schumacher">Michael Schumacher</a> at Ferrari. He has created this team around him, but the truth is that the car is what it is. He is very fast, and he has a unique driving style, it's not so easy to adapt to it," Albon said on the <em>High Performance</em> podcast.</p><img data-id="8157e244-9027-467e-a2de-bf2fde8fd09f" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/8157e244-9027-467e-a2de-bf2fde8fd09f" caption="Analysis of Red Bull's second seat in qualifying. " alt="Analysis of Red Bull's second seat. " source="Substack" data-width="1456" data-height="819" fs="true" master-key="8157e244-9027-467e-a2de-bf2fde8fd09f" options="{"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1456,"originalHeight":819}"/><p>"Everyone has their own driving style. Max - his level of sensitivity and sharpness regarding the front end is on a whole other level.</p><p>"It's like turning the sensitivity up (on a computer) to the maximum, moving the mouse, and having it move all over the screen. It's a bit like what you feel, it becomes so fast that you become tense.</p><p>"What ended up happening ... you start off being slightly less fast but not by much.</p><p>"And then as the season progresses and Max wants the front end to be sharper and it becomes sharper, Max gets faster and faster.</p><p>"To catch up on your delay, you must take a little more risk. And when you know that you only have a few attempts left before the final session, you try a little harder and then, 'okay, I went out, I crashed'.</p><img data-id="42885129-2f3c-45d0-a6f8-95db6437c5b8" src="https://prod.static9.net.au/fs/42885129-2f3c-45d0-a6f8-95db6437c5b8" caption="Isack Hadjar has been tasked to partner with Max Verstappen for the 2026 season. " alt="Isack Hadjar has been tasked to partner with Max Verstappen for the 2026 season. " source="NurPhoto via Getty Images" data-width="1024" data-height="576" fs="true" master-key="42885129-2f3c-45d0-a6f8-95db6437c5b8" options="{"offset":{"x":0,"y":-74},"aspect":1.7777777777777777,"originalWidth":1024,"originalHeight":725}"/><p>"So you have to start over, you have lost some confidence and it takes a little more time.</p><p>"The gap widens a bit and then the next time you try to go out, you will spin out again. And it starts to have a snowball effect and each time the car becomes livelier, you start to get more tense."</p><p>Hadjar must now find a way to break this cycle quickly.</p><p>Unlike previous years, the safety net of a 'demotion' to <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/topic/rb-6gkr" target="" rel="" title="Racing Bulls">Racing Bulls</a> is vanishing.</p><p>Liam Lawson and <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2026-arvid-lindblad-teen-prediction-to-lando-norris-exclusive-interview-20260305-p5o87z.html" target="" rel="" title="rookie Arvid Lindblad">rookie Arvid Lindblad</a> are driving like a formidable duo for the squad and Hadjar has nowhere to go but out.</p><p>While the <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2025-helmut-marko-to-leave-red-bull-max-verstappen-future-20251209-p5nm42.html" target="" rel="" title="departure of the famously 'trigger-happy' Helmut Marko">departure of the famously 'trigger-happy' Helmut Marko</a> from the Red Bull outfit may grant Hadjar a slightly longer leash than his predecessors, the pressure is mounting as auditions in the cursed Red Bull seat are famously quick and unforgiving.</p><p>Formula 1 resumes back on track in Montreal, Canada, with the next race set for May 25.</p> https://ift.tt/jRXah8r<br>
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