(Motorsport-Total.com) – Max Verstappen has a new teammate at Red Bull in Formula 1 this year: Isack Hadjar took over the cockpit from Yuki Tsunoda during the winter and has delivered a solid performance so far. The Frenchman is already considered one of the stronger teammates of the four-time world champion.
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However, Verstappen does not seem to fear losing his dominance at Red Bull, as the collaboration between the two Red Bull drivers apparently works well. “He definitely doesn’t ask me if I need advice, but if I ask him something, he answers me,” Hadjar reveals.
“When I need information, he is very open and very helpful,” adds the Frenchman with Algerian roots, who appreciates the support and advice from the Dutchman: “He holds nothing back because he knows how strong he is.”
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Hadjar is overall satisfied with his first races for Red Bull. “I think I have managed the difficult things, namely being close to Max, well,” he says proudly but also offers self-criticism: “On the other hand, I made mistakes with the simple things.”
Isack Hadjar does not want to repeat his mistakes
Especially at the Miami Grand Prix, Hadjar experienced a disappointing weekend. However, he recovered afterwards and was even allowed to celebrate his first podium in Monaco, which was later revoked. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old often competes on equal footing with Verstappen.
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“So I am glad that I have overcome the toughest hurdles,” Hadjar summarizes the first races of this season, even though he still needs to improve in the future. “If I optimize a few small things now, I will score more points.”
The biggest problem is the mistakes that the Red Bull rookie still makes too often. “Ideally, you don’t repeat them,” Hadjar says with a laugh. “That is the goal. It’s not always easy, but it doesn’t bother me too much either. I am young, it’s my second year, so now I just make mistakes.”
“When I then have a car with which I can become world champion, I won’t make these mistakes anymore. That is the plan. But I focus more on my own performance. I can measure myself against the best in the field. That is my focus at the moment.”
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