Hadjar laments missed Verstappen qualifying duel after securing P3 in Melbourne
Isack Hadjar qualified third for Red Bull in Melbourne but expressed disappointment that teammate Max Verstappen's crash denied a head-to-head comparison. The confident rookie called it a 'shame' he couldn't measure himself against the best, while Verstappen again slammed the 2026 cars as 'emotionally empty' after a troubled qualifying session.
Red Bull newcomer Isack Hadjar qualified an impressive third for the Australian Grand Prix but called it a "shame" that a crash prevented teammate Max Verstappen from setting a representative time, denying him a direct comparison with the reigning champion. The 21-year-old Frenchman, promoted from sister team Racing Bulls for 2026, delivered a calm and confident performance to secure a spot on the second row, while Verstappen was left criticizing the new-generation cars, calling the driving experience "emotionally empty."
Why it matters:
Hadjar's strong qualifying debut for the senior team, coupled with his expressed desire to measure himself against the best, signals a confident and ambitious mindset as he embarks on the daunting task of being Verstappen's teammate. His performance and comments offer an early glimpse into the dynamic at Red Bull for the new regulatory era, while Verstappen's continued vocal dissatisfaction with the 2026 cars adds a significant layer of intrigue and potential tension for the season ahead.
The details:
- A Chill Session: Hadjar described his qualifying as "very chill" and without drama, noting it was the first time in his F1 career he consistently found lap time on used tires, making the process of reaching Q3 "a lot easier."
- Technical Improvement: He highlighted a key improvement in energy deployment management compared to Friday practice, which was crucial for his consistent lap-building.
- Realistic About Race Pace: Despite his P3 grid slot, Hadjar remained pragmatic about his race prospects, stating clearly that his car does not have the pace to win and that his goal is to hold position after Turn 1 for a strong result.
- Verstappen's Frustration: The Dutchman's difficult Saturday was compounded by further criticism of the 2026 machinery. Following his Q1 crash, he stated he is "not enjoying it at all" and feels "completely empty" in terms of emotion and feeling behind the wheel, experiencing unprecedented problems.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the start in Melbourne to see if Hadjar can convert his front-row start into a podium finish. The more compelling narrative, however, will resume at the next round in China, where Hadjar explicitly stated he hopes to finally get that direct qualifying comparison with Verstappen. The reigning champion's ongoing struggle to connect with the new car remains a major subplot that could influence both the team's development direction and the intra-team battle as the season progresses.