Hadjar blasts F1 over Monaco Sprint decision: 'How in the world is that gonna happen?'
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Isack Hadjar has criticised F1's decision to hold Sprint races at circuits where overtaking is particularly difficult, questioning the logic behind adding Monaco to the calendar in 2027. Speaking to GPblog and other media outlets after qualifying in Singapore, the Frenchman also expressed his frustration with the limited preparation time available during Sprint weekends.
Hadjar questions F1's decision to introduce Monaco Sprint
The Red Bull driver did not hide his disappointment with the direction Formula 1 is taking, particularly as the number of Sprint weekends continues to increase. With Monaco set to host a Sprint next season, Hadjar questioned what the additional race could realistically offer on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
"I don't know who makes these decisions. Like, next year we have a sprint race in Monaco. How in the world do you think that's gonna happen? What do you think is gonna happen? Do you think it's gonna be overtakes? Why are we doing it? It's just very disappointing. And there are more and more of them."
Beyond his concerns about the spectacle, Hadjar argued that the Sprint format also compromises the teams' ability to understand and improve their cars. With only one practice session before competitive running begins, drivers have considerably less time to experiment with different setups and assess changes.
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Photo: Race Pictures
"That's the problem with these weekends, with this sprint stuff. You don't get to work on the car. You just kind of need to get lucky. There's no work. I guess it's not entertaining for people to watch us do a lot of tests, but it's important to us."
The Frenchman explained that the lack of preparation was particularly frustrating given the difficulties he experienced with his car during the Singapore weekend. He was eager to evaluate changes to its handling and assess its performance with a properly functioning engine, but felt the format prevented him from doing so.
"The car was handling terribly. I was excited for today to see what the change brought. I was excited to see what I could do with the engine that was working fine. I don't get to do it. It's hard to learn anything from weekends like that."
Hadjar's Singapore frustration goes beyond the Sprint format
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Hadjar's latest criticism follows his earlier frustration with how his Singapore weekend unfolded. The Frenchman previously suggested that he might as well have stayed in Paris, reflecting his disappointment at travelling to Marina Bay without getting the opportunity to make the most of his car.
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