Will Buxton Hails Isack Hadjar as Red Bull’s Most Competitive Team-Mate for Max Verstappen Since Daniel Ricciardo

Will Buxton, a former Formula 1 driver and commentator, has labeled Isack Hadjar as the most competitive team-mate Max Verstappen has faced since Daniel Ricciardo, according to an analysis on the Up To Speed podcast with David Coulthard. Buxton’s assessment highlights Red Bull’s growing challenge of managing its driver roster amid speculation about Verstappen’s contract and the emergence of promising young talent.

Buxton’s Assessment of Red Bull’s Driver Roster

Buxton emphasized that Red Bull is grappling with an “overabundance of drivers” for its four grid slots across Red Bull Racing and its sister team, Racing Bulls. “Hadjar, I’d argue, is probably the best team-mate Max Verstappen has had since Daniel Ricciardo in terms of how close he is to him,” Buxton said. “Hadjar’s doing a stellar job. [Arvid] Lindblad, stellar job. [Liam] Lawson, stellar job.”

The comments come as Red Bull faces uncertainty over Verstappen’s future. While the Dutch driver has been a dominant force since joining the team in 2016, speculation about an exit clause in his contract has intensified. Buxton suggested that the team’s depth of talent could allow for strategic decisions, whether Verstappen stays or departs.

Nikola Tsolov’s Rising Star in F2

Coulthard added that Red Bull’s driver development pipeline is “ahead of the game,” citing Nikola Tsolov, a Bulgarian driver in Formula 2. Tsolov recently achieved three consecutive race wins, including back-to-back feature race victories at Silverstone, a feat made difficult by F2’s reverse-grid format. “It’s very hard to win the feature and the sprint on the same weekend,” Coulthard noted. “He did it at Silverstone. That’s three races on the bounce.”

Tsolov’s performances have drawn attention as a potential future F1 contender. Coulthard described him as “a great personality out of the car” and expressed anticipation for his debut in the sport. However, Red Bull’s challenge remains balancing its current drivers with emerging talent.

Red Bull’s Strategic Dilemma

Red Bull’s situation reflects its long-term investment in driver development. However, the influx of high-caliber drivers like Hadjar, Lawson, Lindblad, and Tsolov has created a “good problem to have,” according to Coulthard. “I don't think they're thinking, 'Oh, we're getting to the limit of what we can afford to invest in this,'” he said.

The team’s ability to manage this roster will be critical. While Verstappen’s dominance has shielded Red Bull from immediate pressure, the presence of multiple high-potential drivers could force difficult decisions. Buxton suggested that Red Bull’s depth could allow for flexibility, whether retaining Verstappen or exploring alternatives.

What’s Next for Red Bull’s Drivers?

As the 2024 season progresses, Red Bull’s driver strategy will remain under scrutiny. Hadjar’s performance in F1, alongside Tsolov’s F2 success, could influence the team’s long-term plans. Coulthard’s remarks underscore the importance of balancing immediate competitiveness with future prospects.

For fans, the debate over Verstappen’s future and Red Bull’s driver selections will continue to shape the narrative of the sport.