Max Verstappen's advice to new teammate Isack Hadjar: 'You have to believe you can beat anyone'

Max Verstappen says his new Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar must approach his daunting 2026 task with the mindset that "I can beat anyone," including the four-time World Champion himself. As Red Bull prepares for a crucial season with its new power unit, all eyes will be on whether Hadjar can end the team's cycle of short-lived second drivers and become a genuine contender.

Why it matters:

Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure in 2018, Red Bull has struggled to find a stable, competitive partner for Verstappen, effectively operating as a one-driver team. Hadjar's promotion represents a significant bet on youth and talent. If he can internalize Verstappen's advice and translate his rookie-year promise into consistent performance, it could finally give Red Bull the strong driver pairing needed to maximize the potential of its new 2026 car and engine package in a tightening championship fight.

The details:

Verstappen's advice cuts to the core of the mental challenge facing any driver paired with a dominant champion. He emphasized that this self-belief was his own approach when he entered F1.

• The Champion's Mindset: "I think, as a driver you have to believe that you are always the best," Verstappen stated on the Up to Speed podcast. "You have to say to yourself, 'I can beat anyone'... When I started in F1 in my first year, I was like, 'Well, if you give me the car, I will win the championship'. That’s how you think."
• Room for Growth: Verstappen acknowledged that mistakes are part of the learning process, noting it's better to make them in a car not immediately fighting for a title. Hadjar had several notable errors in his rookie season, including a formation lap crash in Melbourne and a collision in Britain, but overall demonstrated impressive composure.
• Building a Relationship: Despite limited time together in pre-season testing, Verstappen reports a positive early dynamic with his new teammate, describing Hadjar as a "very nice guy." Verstappen, now in his 12th season, adopts a more relaxed observational role, trusting the engineering process while Hadjar gets up to speed.

What's next:

The 2026 season will be the ultimate test of both Hadjar's mentality and his ability. The pressure is immense: he must quickly adapt to a top team, manage the inevitable comparisons to Verstappen, and help develop the new Red Bull-Ford car. Verstappen's public endorsement and advice set a supportive tone, but the real work begins on track. If Hadjar can blend self-confidence with the lessons from his rookie errors, he has the chance to finally solidify the second seat at Red Bull and become a key factor in the team's championship ambitions.