The astonishing supremacy of Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing is a phenomenon that has left fans and analysts alike in awe. As he gears up for another season, the challenge of being his teammate looms large, a daunting task that few have managed to tackle successfully. Isack Hadjar, the latest recruit, will soon find out just how intense that pressure can be as he steps into the formidable shadow of the four-time Formula 1 champion.
Since Verstappen made his electrifying debut with Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, he has consistently outshone every teammate the team has thrown his way. Initially, Daniel Ricciardo posed a fierce challenge, even managing to outperform Verstappen at the start of their partnership. However, the tables quickly turned as Verstappen asserted his dominance, leaving a trail of teammates struggling to keep pace. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda all faced the grim reality of racing alongside a driver whose talent seems to know no bounds.
A staggering statistic underscores Verstappen’s dominance: since he joined Red Bull, he has obliterated the competition in qualifying sessions. While Ricciardo narrowly led their early battles with an 11-6 advantage in qualifying, the tide shifted dramatically thereafter. In their final 37 races together, Verstappen outqualified Ricciardo 27 times, showcasing a remarkable turnaround that signaled his rise to the top.
The data becomes even more jaw-dropping when examining Verstappen’s performance since 2019. Over 152 qualifying sessions—excluding sprints—he has triumphed over his teammates in a staggering 140 instances, losing out just 12 times. The current season has been particularly brutal for his competitors; Verstappen delivered a flawless 24-0 performance against Lawson and Tsunoda, while his battle against Perez ended with a 23-1 score, the sole blemish occurring at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
As Verstappen heads into 2026, he boasts an unprecedented streak of 31 consecutive qualifying sessions without defeat. This remarkable achievement sets a daunting stage for Hadjar, who will have to muster every ounce of skill and determination to even come close to the standards set by Verstappen. The world will be watching closely as the young driver takes on this monumental challenge in what is surely one of the toughest jobs in sports. Good luck, Isack—you’re going to need it!
