It almost seems as if when a Formula 1 driver wants to damage their racing career, they need only sit in the second Red Bull seat, next to Max Verstappen.
Evidence that played out since the start of this season suggests that the second seat may come with a “curse” of sorts.
And by curse, we’re actually talking about a car that only Max Verstappen can handle.
But now, nine races into a colourful rookie year tainted with highs and low, a season in which he’s already snagged 21 points for the Racing Bulls, Isack Hadjar has been warned to stay away from the senior team.
Hadjar’s had a phenomenal rookie year, so much so that Racing Bulls CEO Peter Beyer suggested that they would “handcuff” to keep him there until the end of the season.
Despite his horrendous start in Australia, where he destroyed the car – even prompting Helmut Marko to call him an embarrassment.
But the French-Algerian F1 rookie came back with a boom and showed the rest of the paddock that he’s worth a shot at the top.
While it may technically be a promotion, the F1 world, including Beyer, are against Hadjar moving to the senior team.
The rookie racer pulled off an impressive P6 finish in his first ever F1 race at Monaco, earning praises from all over the paddock.
“For heaven’s sake, don’t take this talent away from us too soon. He should get to know the whole business by the end of 2026. Until then, we’ll just have to handcuff him!,” Beyer told a German publication.
Former world champion Nico Rosberg also warned the rookie of the move.
“If I was Hadjar now, if ever the team starts to mention (a promotion), I would literally decline,” Rosberg said while commentating at last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. “Decline as hard as you possibly can.
“Because he’s doing such a great job there with the (Racing Bulls), he’s in a great position,” Rosberg said.
The second driver in the senior team, Yuki Tsunoda, has had a dismal season so far shortly after replacing Liam Lawson, who was demoted back to the Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda only managed to score seven points in his seven races next to Verstappen, putting a nail in the coffin of Red Bull’s Constructor hopes.
But it’s Horner’s leadership that’s really at the centre of Red Bull’s success this year.
The British boss never quite got it together since Adrian Newey’s exit from the team.
Verstappen has shown immense skill and composure, even with the difficult RB21 car, to give himself a fighting chance for the world title, even against the near-perfect McLarens, and will look to grab vital points at Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix.
Horner’s headache may only worsen at the end of this season, as their star driver was tipped to make an exit from Red Bull.
It’s not clear where Verstappen may go, but Aston Martin has been on a hiring spree recently, even scooping up Newey himself.
Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas said he believes it may be Verstappen’s last year.
“I think Max is going to win the Drivers’ this year, and then I think he’s going to call it a day,” Nicholas said.
