Isack Hadjar blessed with crucial Red Bull advantage in fight with Max Verstappen

Isack Hadjar holds a potentially critical "advantage" over recent drivers who have failed to make the grade at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, according to Guenther Steiner.

The French driver has been promoted to what is known as the most difficult seat in F1, but there is reason to predict that it will not be the poised chalice it has proven to be time and time again.

Since Daniel Ricciardo left the Milton Keynes-based squad at the end of 2018, only one driver, Sergio Perez, has lasted over two seasons before being relieved of their duties.

The six-time grand prix winner lasted four years, but Alex Albon could only survive for a season and a half after replacing Pierre Gasly, who was the first after Ricciardo and was sent back to Toro Rosso at the summer break.

Yuki Tsunoda stayed for 22 rounds; Liam Lawson just two, in a campaign shared between the pair.

However, with a comprehensive rewrite of the chassis and power unit regulations, Hadjar is being afforded a blank canvas to work from.

"I believe Hadjar is a really good racing driver," Steiner explained to Sport Krone. "And secondly, he has the advantage of the new regulations. This allows him to start from scratch with Max."

It is an argument Hadjar himself has made, suggesting it is the best time to make the step to the top team, even after only a single year in F1 with Racing Bulls.

Red Bull has tended to develop its cars in the direction that Verstappen has wanted. That has resulted in Tsunoda and Lawson stepping into an RB21 this year that is essentially made in the image of the Dutchman.

It is not a problem Hadjar will encounter, and even if the new Red Bull is upgraded to the four-time F1 drivers' champion's liking — something that is no guarantee under the leadership of new team principal Laurent Mekies — the 21-year-old will be there to either grow with the car, or attempt to influence its direction.

"Lawson and Tsunoda, however, were put in a car with which Max had a lot of experience, and they weren't able to catch up quickly. Moreover, the field was so closely matched," Steiner said. "Hadjar has better conditions in this respect.

The former Haas team principal added: "And the motto must be that Red Bull finds a talent they believe can become nearly as good as Max."