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Hadjar agrees with Verstappen about Red Bull pace: 'That might be tricky'

Photo: Race Pictures

F1 News

10:08, 05 Mar

Updated: 10:48, 05 Mar

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byOlly Darcy

Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar believes that Red Bull "has a good race car", but its one-lap pace "might be a bit tricky".

"I think on one lap pace, I don't think we are special.

- Isack Hadjar

The 21-year-old will make his debut for the Austrian team at the Australian Grand Prix after being promoted from Racing Bulls following an impressive 2025 campaign.

Pre-season testing saw Mercedes and Red Bull lead the way in the early stages, before Ferrari and Charles Leclerc found some fine pace to top the timing sheets at the end of testing in Bahrain.

However, despite the tight pre-season tussle, Hadjar pointed to one aspect of Red Bull that might hinder the team during the opening race weekend of the season.

Isack Hadjar during pre-testing in Bahrain - Photo: Race Pictures

"I'm just basing this on what I saw in testing, and at the moment, it seems like we have a good race car, which is what matters," Hadjar stated to GPblog and others in Melbourne.

"I think on one lap pace, I don't think we are special. That might be a bit tricky.

"But honestly, what happens in the first race, who cares? It's how you finish the year anyway, and how you build on the next few years is what really matters."

Verstappen also tempers expectations

Throughout pre-season testing, Red Bull's brand-new powertrain developed with Ford caught everyone's attention.

However, during Thursday's media day in Melbourne, along with Hadjar, Max Verstappen believed that the Austrian team may not be fighting at the front of the grid to start the 2026 season, despite the pre-season buzz.

But even if a Grand Prix win at the opening race of the 2026 season is just out of reach for Verstappen and Hadjar, the latter is still hugely excited about his upcoming campaign.

Isack Hadjar crashed on the formation lap during his debut race at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix - Photo: RacePictures

Hadjar impressed during his debut season at Racing Bulls, earning a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix with a stunning result. But now he is ready to challenge at the front of the grid all season.

"I was fighting for podiums and wins since go-karts, so actually, last year was something I wasn't used to," continued the French-Algerian.

"Now knowing that I can have a shot at better results is what I'm here for, so I prefer to be in this position."