Hadjar's next step with Red Bull is winning races, says Waché

Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché has described winning races as the next step for Isack Hadjar, while acknowledging the difficulty of competing with team-mate Max Verstappen. Hadjar has scored three podiums in his first season alongside the four-time champion, most recently finishing third in São Paulo after yielding second place to Verstappen under team orders. Red Bull has extended his contract through 2027.

Waché said Hadjar's progress has depended on communication with his engineers as much as on raw pace. "First, he has to contribute for himself, to say what he needs to go quick," he said. "He has improved a lot since the start of the season. He clearly has pace in him." He added that the team needs a strong second driver to challenge in the constructors' championship, and described Hadjar as the future of the team.

Asked whether Hadjar is living up to Red Bull's hopes after several difficult partnerships in the second seat, Waché declined to dwell on the past. He said Hadjar is doing what the team needs and is challenging the system.