F1 News: Red Bull hoping Hadjar isn't Verstappen's latest victim

(GMM) Isack Hadjar is already under scrutiny after a difficult Miami weekend, with French media questioning whether the infamous “second seat curse” alongside Max Verstappen is striking again.

L’Equipe correspondent Frederic Ferret noted concerns after the young Frenchman struggled to match Verstappen’s pace in the upgraded Red Bull, before crashing out of the race.

Editor’s Note: Max Verstappen is so good he destroys all teammates and spits them out

However, he also stressed the driver retains strong internal support.

“Laurent Mekies is a staunch defender of him,” Ferret wrote.

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and Isack Hadjar of France and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in the garage during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

Hadjar’s race unraveled after he was forced to start from the pitlane following a technical infringement by the team in qualifying.

He fought back strongly – before it ended abruptly.

Hadjar admitted the mistake followed a weekend on the edge.

“All weekend I was on the limit, and I was comfortable with that limit. But this time, it didn’t work out,” Hadjar told Canal Plus.

“I wasn’t precise enough; I took too many risks in a 57-lap race. I wasn’t very smart.”

The frustration was clear.

“I’m angry because the pace was good. I was catching up so easily,” he said.

“I’m throwing points away stupidly. I’m very frustrated, and on top of that, I damaged the car, which counts too.”

21-year-old Hadjar has 4 points versus Verstappen’s 26.