Red Bull's New Hope: Isack Hadjar's Crash and the Ghost of 2019
Could history repeat itself at Red Bull? In 2019, Pierre Gasly's Red Bull journey began with a crash during pre-season testing, leading to a challenging season and eventual demotion. Fast forward to 2026, and a similar scenario unfolds with Isack Hadjar, Red Bull's new sophomore driver. But will he face the same fate as Gasly?
Both drivers, French and in their early 20s, were signed by Red Bull after impressive rookie seasons, bypassing more experienced options. Gasly crashed twice at Barcelona, while Hadjar's incident occurred on a wet track, testing a brand-new car with new technical regulations. But here's where it gets controversial: Hadjar's crash might have been a one-off, as he'd driven the car all day the previous day without issues.
Gasly's struggles extended beyond the crashes. His driving style didn't suit the RB15, and he felt unsupported by his team, especially his race engineer, who lacked F1 experience. This led to a performance gap with Verstappen, and Gasly was eventually demoted. And this is the part most people miss: Gasly's team management, known for their ruthless approach, has since changed, with Laurent Mekies taking over as team principal.
Mekies, praised for his people skills and honesty, downplayed Hadjar's crash, attributing it to tricky conditions. With a new management style and a different race engineer, Hadjar's situation differs from Gasly's. But the question remains: Can Hadjar avoid the curse of Red Bull's second seat?
The team's recent history suggests a challenging path for Hadjar. Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda all struggled to match Verstappen's pace. However, the 2026 technical overhaul offers a glimmer of hope, potentially altering car characteristics and breaking the malediction.
So, will Hadjar defy the odds? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Red Bull's management and fans alike will be watching closely, hoping to avoid a repeat of the Gasly saga. What do you think? Is Hadjar destined for success or another victim of the Red Bull curse? Share your thoughts in the comments!
