Hadjar reassured as Verstappen shares same Red Bull’s RB22 struggles

Hadjar finds reassurance in shared Red Bull feedback

Isack Hadjar says he would have questioned his own performance if his feedback on Red Bull’s RB22 had differed significantly from Max Verstappen’s. Instead, the Frenchman believes the fact that both drivers are identifying the same problems is encouraging.

Hadjar reported a similar experience at the Hungaroring. He said Red Bull could not find the car’s sweet spot and that he was also struggling with its ride. His sixth-place finish therefore came against a backdrop of a car that neither driver felt was operating consistently.

“Yeah, which is reassuring, let's say,” Hadjar told media including RacingNews365 when asked whether his feedback matched Verstappen’s. “Otherwise, I would be asking myself questions. So that's the good news.”

Qualifying progress, race-pace challenge

Hadjar has emerged as a closer one-lap match for Verstappen over the opening 11 rounds of the campaign than other drivers who have occupied Red Bull’s second seat in recent years. The next step, however, is converting that qualifying performance into stronger race pace.

That limitation was especially evident in Hungary, where Hadjar was unable to make progress during the race. He identified the opening stint as the key area requiring an answer, despite describing the rest of the weekend as positive.

“I think it also shows why the gap in qualifying is always that close,” he said. “I just need an answer on that first stint because, for me, that's what was really frustrating me. The rest, everything else this weekend, has been going well.”

Entry stability remains the priority

Asked about technical director Pierre Waché’s view that the car’s mid-corner understeer needed to be removed, Hadjar pointed to a more immediate concern: entry stability.

“Entry stability needs to be solved, then we can improve the rest,” he added. For Red Bull, the shared diagnosis from both drivers offers clarity. The challenge now is finding a configuration that delivers a more dependable platform across qualifying and the race.