{
  "id": 14928996,
  "title": "Isack Hadjar on reality of racing alongside \"prime of the prime\" Max Verstappen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/isack-hadjar-on-reality-of-racing-alongside-prime-of-the-prime-max",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T10:24:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Motorsport.com",
    "slug": "motorsport-com",
    "url": "https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/isack-hadjar-on-reality-of-racing-alongside-prime-of-the-prime-max-verstappen-/10861847/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ferrari has appointed 22-year-old Isack Hadjar as a reserve driver for the 2023 Formula 1 season, with the young driver set to race alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Hadjar recently signed a contract extension to remain with the team through 2027. Speaking on Formula 1's Beyond The Grid podcast, Hadjar expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to race with Verstappen, acknowledging it as a rare and valuable experience at his young age.\n\nHadjar admits that the challenge of racing with Verstappen, at the peak of his career, is unlike anything he has faced before. While he believes his single-lap pace is competitive, he recognizes the significant difference between his performance in the garage and on the track. Hadjar explained that Verstappen consistently matches his performance across all corners and maintains a flat lap time, creating the lap time difference that ultimately determines the winner. This flat performance and lack of peaks makes Verstappen a formidable opponent and a tough driver to beat.",
  "summary": "Red Bull Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar believes he is \"very, very lucky\" to be partnered with four-time champion Max Verstappen, stating he is facing the Dutchman at the \"prime of the prime\" of his career. Hadjar, who recently secured a contract extension to remain at the Milton Keynes outfit through the 2027 season, has been tasked with the notoriously difficult role of driving alongside ...…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ferrari appoints 22-year-old Isack Hadjar as reserve driver for 2023 F1 season",
    "Hadjar set to race alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen",
    "Verstappen's flat lap time makes him a formidable opponent for Hadjar"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}