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via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar identifies key area he must improve compared to Max VerstappenIsack Hadjar, driving for Red Bull Racing, has shown promising performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season, particularly in qualifying, where he has a smaller deficit compared to previous drivers in the second seat. However, he recognizes the need to improve his race pace, as he currently trails Max Verstappen significantly on Sundays. Hadjar's performance reflects a learning curve as he adapts to the demands of Formula 1 racing, and he feels he is making progress in his second season.
Despite his improvements, Hadjar has faced challenges in finding the right setup for his car, particularly noted during the Hungarian Grand Prix. He expressed confidence in his abilities but acknowledged that there is still work to be done both individually and as a team. The alignment of his feedback with Verstappen's is seen as a positive sign for his development and the team's technical direction.
Thu 13 Aug · 13:00 UTC
via Formula1.comHas Hadjar ended the Red Bull second seat curse?Isack Hadjar has made a notable impact in his second season with Red Bull, showing a competitive edge against teammate Max Verstappen. His average qualifying delta of just over 0.1 seconds is the closest any driver has come to Verstappen since Daniel Ricciardo in 2017, indicating a significant improvement compared to previous teammates who struggled against the four-time champion.
Currently, Hadjar's points deficit to Verstappen stands at 41 after 11 races in the 2026 season. This is a stark contrast to the larger gaps seen in previous years, such as 388 points in 2025 and 290 points in 2023. As the season progresses, Hadjar has the potential to further narrow this gap, possibly challenging Ricciardo's record of the lowest points deficit in a season together.
Tue 11 Aug · 15:22 UTC
via PlanetF1Stella makes telling Oscar Piastri admission as McLaren comeback buildsAndrea Stella, the McLaren team principal, highlighted the strengthening relationship between drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris despite the challenges faced in the F1 2026 season. Following a competitive 2025 season where Norris won the championship and Piastri finished third, there were concerns about how their dynamic would hold up. However, Stella confirmed that their collaboration has improved, showcasing their commitment to adapting to the new power units introduced this season.
McLaren has encountered difficulties with reliability and performance early in the season, but Norris's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix marked a significant breakthrough for the team. Piastri's gearbox failure during the same race prevented a potential one-two finish for McLaren. Both drivers have been vocal about the challenges posed by the new regulations, yet their ability to work together has been praised by Stella, indicating a positive outlook for the team's future.
Mon 10 Aug · 18:00 UTC
via RaceFansVerstappen vs Hadjar: 2026 F1 team mates’ head-to-head scores at summer break | Formula 1Isack Hadjar is performing remarkably well at one of the toughest jobs in Formula 1: Being Max Verstappen's team mate.
Mon 10 Aug · 06:35 UTC
via F1iMekies sees Red Bull’s second-car curse fading with HadjarRed Bull Racing has promoted Isack Hadjar to its senior team, addressing a long-standing issue with its second car alongside Max Verstappen. The team has faced challenges with previous drivers, but Hadjar's consistent improvement and eagerness to learn have begun to change the dynamics, making him a valuable asset for the team. Laurent Mekies, the team principal, highlighted that enhancing the performance of the second car was a key priority for Red Bull, and Hadjar's development is seen as crucial for overall team cohesion and strategy.
Mekies noted that Hadjar's steady progress allows Red Bull to utilize both cars more effectively during races, providing strategic options and technical insights. The team is optimistic about Hadjar's trajectory, viewing him not just as a support driver but as an integral part of their competitive strategy moving forward. This shift in perspective could strengthen Red Bull's overall performance as the season progresses.
Sun 9 Aug · 11:07 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar details F1 'luxury' alongside Max VerstappenIsack Hadjar, a young driver for Red Bull, has been performing well alongside the highly regarded Max Verstappen. Despite the challenges of competing against such a strong teammate, Hadjar views the experience as a unique opportunity to learn and grow in his racing career. He has consistently finished in the top six and is on track for a potential contract extension for the following season.
In the current season, Hadjar has been out-qualified by Verstappen, but he remains focused on improving and understanding the nuances of racing at the highest level. His admiration for Verstappen's skills and the competitive environment at Red Bull highlights the luxury he feels in being part of such a prestigious team at a young age.
Sun 9 Aug · 09:05 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri exit from McLaren weighed up in key 'honeymoon' differenceOscar Piastri's performance at McLaren has been disappointing this season, especially compared to his teammate Lando Norris, who has consistently outpaced him. Both drivers are under long-term contracts, but there are indications that Piastri might seek opportunities elsewhere, as highlighted by former engineer Rob Smedley. Smedley pointed out a stark contrast in the team dynamics, noting that Norris expresses a strong commitment to McLaren, while Piastri does not share the same sentiment.
Despite the challenges, McLaren has seen success, including a recent victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team has maintained the longest unchanged driver line-up in Formula 1, but the differing attitudes of their drivers could influence future decisions. As the season progresses, the focus will be on how Piastri's situation develops and whether he remains with McLaren or pursues other options.Sat 8 Aug · 17:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comBinotto responds to Sainz and Piastri Audi rumoursMattia Binotto, Audi's Formula 1 project chief, has commented on rumors linking Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri to the team. He indicated that the current driver lineup is likely to remain unchanged for the 2027 season.+ 1 moreFri 7 Aug · 19:06 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri explains 'generation' difference after Lewis Hamilton pledgeOscar Piastri has expressed his support for the use of F1 simulators, highlighting their value in preparing for race weekends. His comments come in response to Lewis Hamilton's earlier criticism of simulators, which he felt were misleading. Piastri notes that there is a generational gap in how drivers perceive and utilize these tools, with him finding them particularly useful given the complexity of modern F1 cars.
While Piastri acknowledges the limitations of simulators, stating they cannot fully replicate the experience of driving a real car, he believes they can still provide valuable insights. He emphasizes that each driver has different preferences regarding simulator use, and they should choose what works best for them. This discussion reflects the evolving nature of driver preparation in Formula 1.Fri 7 Aug · 17:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri's new merchandise collection earns positive fan reactionOscar Piastri, a driver for McLaren in Formula 1, has introduced a new merchandise line called the 'World Circuit' collection. This collection features a range of apparel inspired by the diverse locations on the F1 calendar and includes items such as T-shirts, jackets, and bags, with prices varying from £14.99 to £124.99.
The launch has garnered a favorable response from fans, who appreciate both the pricing and the unique designs. Many fans have commented on social media, expressing their satisfaction with the affordability and style of the merchandise, indicating that it stands out as distinctly Piastri's brand.Fri 7 Aug · 14:50 UTC
via espn.comStella hails 'harmony' between Norris and PiastriMcLaren boss Andrea Stella is pleased Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have remained a harmonious pairing in the wake of last season's title scrap and has not yet given up hope of the British driver being able to defend his crown.
Fri 7 Aug · 11:45 UTC
via RaceFansNorris vs Piastri: 2026 F1 team mates’ head-to-head scores at summer break | Formula 1Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are currently in their fourth season as teammates at McLaren, showcasing a competitive dynamic throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season. Their performances have varied from race to race, with Norris recently demonstrating a stronger form, particularly in qualifying sessions.
In the latest race in Hungary, Norris outperformed Piastri, who faced challenges including missing a practice session and being obstructed during his qualifying run. Despite these fluctuations, both drivers have maintained a closely matched rivalry, contributing to an exciting atmosphere within the team.Fri 7 Aug · 06:25 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar describes Red Bull culture shockIsack Hadjar has shared his experience of moving from the junior Racing Bulls team to the senior Red Bull team, describing it as a 'culture shock.' Despite the challenges, he feels that his time in the junior program has helped ease the transition.+ 1 moreThu 6 Aug · 17:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar implores Red Bull to 'dig' deepIsack Hadjar has been performing well in the Formula 1 season, achieving points finishes in seven consecutive races, with his best result being a fourth place at the Monaco Grand Prix. Despite this success, he has yet to secure a podium and is urging Red Bull to enhance their performance to better compete against leading teams like Mercedes and Ferrari as the season progresses.
As the summer break approaches, Hadjar reflects on the progress made by Red Bull, which has improved significantly since the start of the season. He acknowledges that while the team has closed the gap to the front-runners, there is still work to be done to reach the desired level of competitiveness. The next race will be the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August.Thu 6 Aug · 09:05 UTC
via Motorsport.comDrivers criticise 2026 regulations on power unitsDrivers in Formula 1 have voiced their dissatisfaction with the current regulations regarding power unit algorithms. The FIA has defended the use of these algorithms, stating that they enhance the racing experience, despite criticism from competitors.+ 1 moreThu 6 Aug · 08:18 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri confident about McLaren's 2026 potentialOscar Piastri expressed confidence in McLaren's ability to replicate past mid-season improvements in 2026. Despite a mixed first half of the season, he believes there are hidden gains that may not be immediately visible in the results.+ 1 moreWed 5 Aug · 18:00 UTC
via F1iIsack Hadjar discusses consistency at Red BullIsack Hadjar has shared insights on his progress during his first season with Red Bull. He emphasizes the importance of consistency as a key challenge he has worked to overcome.+ 1 moreTue 4 Aug · 13:06 UTC
via Motorsport.comDebate Surrounds Carlos Sainz's Penalty After Hungarian GP IncidentThe incident between Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri during the Hungarian Grand Prix has sparked discussions about the appropriateness of Sainz's penalty. James Vowles, Williams team principal, acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the blue flag situation, while Guenther Steiner criticized the FIA for being too lenient.Tue 4 Aug · 10:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comOliver Bearman takes 'huge confidence' from Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar's F1 riseOliver Bearman, a Haas F1 driver, draws significant confidence from the success of his former rivals, Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar, who are currently performing well in Formula 1. Bearman believes that their achievements demonstrate that he also has the potential to succeed when provided with a competitive car. He currently ranks 13th in the drivers' championship, while his teammate Esteban Ocon is in 17th place, and Haas is positioned seventh in the constructors' standings.
Despite the challenges faced by Haas in the mid-season development race, Bearman remains optimistic about his future. He has previously proven his capabilities by scoring points in his debut race and is focused on improving his personal performance as the season progresses. Bearman is confident that with the right machinery, he will be able to compete for race wins.Tue 4 Aug · 09:14 UTCvia RacingNews365Oscar Piastri discusses mixed results in 2026 seasonOscar Piastri has acknowledged that his performance in the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season has been inconsistent. However, he believes there are underlying improvements that are not reflected in his results.+ 1 moreMon 3 Aug · 18:00 UTCPage 13 of 15
