While Rosberg draws a clear line, Schumacher is reconsidering. Once again, Red Bull’s second seat is the subject of intrigue, speculation, and thinly veiled advice from former drivers. This time, the focus is on Formula 1 rookie Isack Hadjar, whose name has quickly emerged as a potential replacement for Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.
Former world champion Nico Rosberg has made his stance crystal clear. In an interview with Sky Sports, the German advised Hadjar against rushing into the senior Red Bull seat, warning him of the risks of burnout and of being ground down by the pressure of competing against Verstappen on equal terms.
Meanwhile, Ralf Schumacher initially struck a similar chord, questioning whether the youngster was truly ready. However, as the debate has evolved, Schumacher has changed his mind, now arguing that 2026 could be the perfect time for such a bold move.
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A tale of two pundits
Rosberg’s cautionary advice was rooted in his own experience. Few drivers know what it takes to compete with the very best, and Rosberg bears the scars of his time racing alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. In his Sky Sports interview, he made it clear that if Hülkenberg were wise, he would politely decline a mid-term promotion and bide his time.
However, Schumacher has taken a different view, one that has notably shifted with the winds of Formula 1’s ever-changing landscape.
Initially sceptical of Hadjar’s readiness, he argued that the Racing Bulls deserved a leader in their ranks rather than seeing another prospect swallowed by the Verstappen machine. However, in his latest reflections on the Sky podcast Backstage Pit Lane, Schumacher sees a new opportunity. With sweeping regulation changes due to arrive in 2026, he believes that the reset across the grid could level the playing field. If Hadjar is going to make the leap, then, in Schumacher’s words, “it will have to be next year”.
Tsunoda’s fading hopes
The debate is sharpened by Yuki Tsunoda’s struggles. The Japanese driver was brought in as a replacement earlier in the season after Red Bull grew impatient with Sergio Perez’s inconsistent performances, and more surprisingly dropped Liam Lawson after only two races.
Yet Tsunoda has fared little better; his campaign has been plagued by underwhelming performances, leaving him trailing behind. For Red Bull, the second cockpit has long been a poisoned chalice: a revolving door of drivers who arrive promising much, but leave humbled.
Hadjar’s credentials
Ralf Schumacher insists that Hadjar has both “the speed” and “the nerves” to succeed. The 20-year-old French-Algerian rookie has shown a calm head and mental resilience — traits that, according to Schumacher, are essential when racing alongside Verstappen.
However, waiting too long carries its own risks, warns Schumacher. Red Bull has already invested heavily in its 2026 car, so a late promotion could mean Hadjar is excluded from the development process. On the other hand, a bold move in 2026 would allow Hadjar to grow alongside the machinery rather than be overwhelmed by it.
The Verstappen factor
Of course, there is the Verstappen problem. Red Bull’s star driver has shaped the team around his driving style, delivering performances that few can match.
Even with new regulations, it is unlikely that Verstappen will lose his edge overnight. Rosberg’s warning is therefore grounded in reality: joining the team as Verstappen’s teammate would be more of a trial by fire than an opportunity. Look no further than the fates of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and others who tried and failed.
The debate over Hülkenberg is not simply about raw ability, but about timing. Rosberg’s suggestion to wait is based on the idea of patience and avoiding a premature promotion that could damage a promising career. Meanwhile, Schumacher’s U-turn reflects the ever-changing nature of Formula 1.
The 2026 regulation reset promises new cars and engines, and could potentially reshuffle the competitive order. If there were ever a time to challenge Verstappen, it would be when everyone is adapting to change.
The poisoned second seat
Red Bull’s second cockpit has become legendary for its brutality. Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure, no driver has lasted long alongside Verstappen.
The team’s driver management has, at times, resembled a revolving circus, with promotions and demotions handed out at breakneck speed. The irony, of course, is that Red Bull’s junior programme exists precisely to identify and nurture future champions, yet its most brutal test destroys many before they can flourish.
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Hadjar’s gamble
For Hadjar, the stakes are high. If he accepts the seat in 2026, he will be judged against one of the most dominant drivers of his generation. If he declines, he risks being seen as lacking ambition, or worse still, being forgotten amid Red Bull’s endless stream of driver academy graduates. Rosberg says no, Schumacher says yes, and Hadjar himself must decide whether he wants to be remembered as the man who dared or the man who avoided the challenge.
The wider picture
Behind this soap opera lies a broader question about Red Bull’s future. Verstappen is under contract for the long term, but no team remains static forever. Rivals Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren are all preparing for 2026 with renewed ambition. Red Bull will eventually need to groom a successor: someone who can lead the team once Verstappen’s dominance wanes. Haddad, who is young, fast and fearless, could be that candidate. Then again, he could be the next in a long line of promising names to be sacrificed on the altar of the second cockpit.
Should Hadjar seize the chance and embrace the firestorm that is Red Bull Racing in 2026? Or would it be wiser to allow him to grow outside the furnace before stepping into Verstappen’s lair? Nico Rosberg and Ralf Schumacher may disagree, but what do you think?
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Ecclestone raises suspicions after Monza – The aftermath of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza has reignited an internal debate at McLaren that goes beyond strategy calls and pit stop errors. Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that Lando Norris might be receiving preferential treatment from the Woking-based team at the expense of his younger teammate, Oscar Piastri.
In an interview with Blick, Ecclestone questioned McLaren’s commitment to fairness, which has been much publicised. He referenced the incident at Monza where Piastri gained a position due to Norris’ slow pit stop but was then asked to let his teammate back through. The former F1 supremo was blunt: ‘They keep talking about fairness. But is it fair for Piastri to be penalised for a team mistake? No.”
This was an especially frustrating situation for Piastri, who had the upper hand in the points battle, leaving Monza with a 31-point lead over Norris. Had he stayed ahead, his lead would have been 37 points. In a season where McLaren are finally mounting a genuine challenge for race victories, and perhaps even titles, such a swing could prove decisive…READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
