Isack Hadjar felt that his P3 end in Qualifying for the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix was the “perfect start” to his Red Bull profession, regardless of admitting that he additionally noticed the day as “damage limitation”.
After a crash for staff mate Max Verstappen in Q1 left Hadjar because the staff’s sole automotive for the rest of Qualifying, the French driver appeared in good kind all through Saturday’s session and finally proved the closest challenger to the Mercedes pair, qualifying in third behind George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Reflecting on the result afterwards, Hadjar admitted that he was happy to start his new chapter with Red Bull in a constructive vogue, having made the step as much as the squad following his rookie season with Racing Bulls.
“I’m very happy,” he defined. “When I crossed the line I knew it was a good lap, maybe top three, which it was, so very happy with a smooth session. It’s a perfect start to my Red Bull career.”
However, when requested how the automotive was feeling out on observe, Hadjar added: “That’s the factor, it by no means feels adequate. But we all know our weaknesses, and there’s quite a lot of work to be carried out.
“Today was more of a damage limitation, to be honest. It was a very good lap but I just feel like we need to improve at the moment.
“We’re eight-tenths away from pole. Last year this would have been out of Q1.”
In phrases of his expectations for Sunday’s Grand Prix, Hadjar is hoping to observe up on the maiden rostrum that he achieved in final 12 months’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Quizzed on whether or not he might catch the Mercedes automobiles off the road, the 21-year-old answered: “The solely factor I can do is take a greater begin, however they’re simply too quick in the mean time.
“I want to keep my position – a second podium would be good.”
