03/07/2025 15:10
Isack Hadjar pinpointed that Max Verstappen being "explosive" from
the start of every grand prix means any team-mate is immediately on
the back foot. The Racing Bulls driver has been linked to a
promotion for next season, based on his impressive start to his
debut campaign. Hadjar has been a regular in Q3 and the points
positions, impressing Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. However, it
has been argued that Racing Bulls have a better car than its sister
team this year, leading to strong results for Hadjar and recently
for Liam Lawson. McLaren CEO Zak Brown went as far as stating that
Red Bull would be behind Racing Bulls if not for Max Verstappen.
When asked if Brown's comment was accurate, Hadjar responded: "I
don't think so," before continuing, "I think Max in the Red Bull is
very fast with his car and he drives it to the absolute limit, and
it's a more efficient car in high speed corners. "It's just, it's
a faster car, but it's apparently hard to exploit most of it."
Hadjar wary of Verstappen challenge Despite the difficulties with
the RB21, Verstappen is still in contention for the F1 drivers'
title, unlike Yuki Tsunoda who has scored seven points in nine
grands prix. Tsunoda has failed to cope with the demands of
partnering the four-time world champion, a challenge Hadjar accepts
he would have to overcome should he receive a promotion. Discussing
if a different approach would be needed alongside Verstappen,
Hadjar quickly stated: "Well, yeah, that means you would start the
weekend on the back foot all the time, because he gets in the
rhythm. "He's very explosive. He gets in the rhythm very fast, so I
will always have to make up that time and try and get there. "So
definitely a different approach, something I never experienced
because I never faced a four-time world champion." Mental struggles
have proven to be a regular problem for Verstappen's team-mates
over the years, although Hadjar is confident he would not succumb
to this challenge. "Mentally, yes, that's one thing I'm good at,"
insisted Hadjar. "Only thing is, do I have the skills? But
mentally, I know I'm strong, so I'm not very worried about that."
