8 March 2026Racingnews365AnalysisRumor
Red Bull explains critical battery error that hampered Verstappen and Hadjar in Australia
Red Bull's Sporting Director Laurent Mekies admits a strategic miscalculation left both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar starting the Australian GP with no battery energy, costing them positions on the critical opening lap due to an overly aggressive formation lap procedure.
Red Bull Racing's Laurent Mekies confirmed both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar started the Australian Grand Prix with empty batteries, a critical strategic error that immediately compromised their race. The issue stemmed from an aggressive formation lap procedure that drained the energy storage, leaving the drivers without crucial deployment for the opening lap battle.