Hadjar alongside Verstappen in 2026? Marko speaks on the possible line-up

Red Bull frequently changes its second driver alongside Verstappen. Isack Hadjar has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2026 season, when the new regulations come into effect. Marko was asked by Oe24 whether Hadjar is ready to race alongside Verstappen in Red Bull Racing’s team next year.

The Austrian had the following to say about this: “We'll see. We have until October to make this decision.”

Marko also previously stated that the decision regarding Red Bull’s second driver will be made around the Mexico City Grand Prix, scheduled for the weekend of October 24th to 26th.

In Zandvoort, Hadjar surprisingly qualified fourth. A day later he managed to advance another spot during the race, as Lando Norris was forced to retire.

Marko was asked about Hadjar's personality, and what is so great about the French-Algerian Racing Bulls driver. “He's a funny guy. And highly intelligent: his mother is a deputy HR manager at a company with 4,000 employees, his father is a nuclear physicist.”

In the 2025 season, Liam Lawson started next to Verstappen, but after two races was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

Marko was questioned by the Austrian medium about why they didn't choose Hadjar right away. “Because he needs a certain routine for that. Pressure is much greater in a top team, as you also see at Mercedes (with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, ed.).”