Former Formula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton told the Up To Speed podcast that Isack Hadjar has emerged as the most competitive teammate Max Verstappen has faced since Daniel Ricciardo. Speaking alongside ex‑driver David Coulthard, Buxton highlighted Hadjar’s rapid progression through the junior ranks and his strong showings in recent testing sessions, suggesting the French driver could push the Red Bull champion in a way no recent teammate has.
Buxton also addressed the lingering speculation surrounding an exit clause in Verstappen’s contract, noting that Red Bull’s driver roster is under renewed scrutiny. He argued that Hadjar’s performance forces the team to consider how best to balance Verstappen’s dominance with a challenger capable of extracting the car’s limits.
If Buxton’s assessment holds, Red Bull may face heightened pressure to keep Hadjar in the seat or risk losing a potential future star. The next few Grand Prix weekends will likely reveal whether Hadjar can translate his promise into on‑track rivalry, shaping the team’s long‑term driver strategy.
