News162 stories
RSS ↗
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar Proves Valuable Teammate for Max VerstappenIsack Hadjar has shown impressive performance in his first year with Red Bull Racing, particularly in his one-lap pace compared to Max Verstappen. Analysts highlight this closeness as a key factor in his value to the team.
via Motorsport.comWhat exactly was behind Franco Colapinto's Miami breakthrough at Alpine?Franco Colapinto's performance in Formula 1 improved significantly after the Miami Grand Prix, where he received a new lighter chassis. Prior to this, he struggled to match the pace of his teammate Pierre Gasly, despite feeling comfortable in the car. The switch to two chassis after winter testing contributed to his initial difficulties, but the team worked on data analysis and energy management during the April break, leading to better results in subsequent races.
Colapinto's recent success includes five points finishes and consistently finishing ahead of Gasly. The team is optimistic about an upcoming upgrade package at Zandvoort, which they hope will enhance their competitiveness against rival teams. Overall, Colapinto's breakthrough is seen as a combination of technical adjustments and improved understanding of the car's performance.
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.
via RaceFansGasly vs Colapinto: 2026 F1 team mates’ head-to-head scores at summer break | Formula 1The article analyzes the performance of Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto during the 2026 Formula 1 season up to the summer break. It highlights the circumstances surrounding Colapinto's arrival at the team, replacing Jack Doohan, and compares their performances in the uncompetitive A525 car.
Gasly has been able to score points occasionally, while Colapinto has struggled to achieve similar results. The discussion reflects on the challenges faced by both drivers and the impact of the car's competitiveness on their performances.
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.
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.
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.
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.
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar Discusses Transition to Red Bull Team CultureIsack 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.
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.
via F1iIsack Hadjar Reflects on Consistency in Red Bull CareerIsack 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.
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.
via Crash‘Doing the easy stuff wrong’ - The difficulties in adapting to Red Bull’s F1 carIsack Hadjar, a rookie driver for Red Bull Racing, has faced challenges in his first season, particularly in the early races where he struggled with basic driving aspects. Despite these difficulties, he has shown improvement, consistently finishing in the top six since the Canadian Grand Prix and currently sitting eighth in the championship standings at the summer break.
Hadjar has expressed a desire to compete for podium finishes and acknowledges the need to enhance his race management skills to match the performance of his teammate, Max Verstappen. He has made strides in consistency and performance, indicating a positive trajectory as he adapts to the demands of Formula 1 racing.
via Motorsport.comGasly Highlights Importance of Alpine's Upgrades for Dutch GPPierre Gasly emphasized the significance of Alpine's upcoming upgrades for the Dutch Grand Prix. He believes these enhancements are essential for the team's competitiveness in the Formula 1 midfield.
via RaceFansGasly: F1 driving is no longer about pushing to the limit in corners | Formula 1Gasly's comments reflect a broader discontent among drivers regarding the new rules, which have prompted criticism for diminishing the performance of combustion engines relative to battery power. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has encouraged drivers to provide constructive feedback on these changes.
via CrashIsack Hadjar Comments on Max Verstappen's Performance ChallengesIsack Hadjar acknowledges Max Verstappen's exceptional skills in Formula 1, noting a specific area where Verstappen excels. Despite Verstappen's struggles with the 2026 Red Bull car, Hadjar finds reassurance in the situation.
via grandprix.comHadjar staying, Verstappen offered richer dealRed Bull Racing has proposed a more lucrative contract to Max Verstappen, aiming to extend his tenure until after the 2029 season and eliminate his release clause. Verstappen's current salary of around 65 million euros per year is expected to increase, and both parties are engaged in ongoing discussions about the future of their collaboration. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is likely to continue as Verstappen's teammate after a solid performance at the Hungarian GP, where he finished P6.
Toto Wolff of Mercedes indicated that there will be no immediate changes to their driver lineup, citing the need for car stability rather than driver changes. He acknowledged the potential appeal of a Verstappen-Antonelli pairing but emphasized satisfaction with the current dynamic between their drivers. Mekies reiterated that the team's focus remains on optimizing the car for Verstappen to ensure competitive performance.
via AutosportF1 Hungarian GP: Hamilton leads Ferrari 1-2 in FP2, Colapinto crashes for AlpineIn the second practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton led the field, finishing ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Hamilton's fastest lap was 1m18.729s, while Leclerc followed closely with a time of 1m18.877s. Lando Norris from McLaren took third place, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing rounded out the top four.
The session was marked by challenging track conditions, with drivers struggling to find balance due to cooler temperatures and wind. Colapinto's crash brought out a red flag, interrupting the session. Other notable performances included George Russell in fifth and Liam Lawson in seventh, while Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso faced difficulties, finishing 19th.
via grandprix.comVerstappen Faces Pressure to Decide Future with Red BullMax Verstappen is reportedly under pressure to clarify his future with Red Bull before a contractual deadline. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar's position at the team for 2027 appears more secure amid ongoing speculation regarding Verstappen's plans.
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli Secures Pole Position at Belgian Grand PrixKimi Antonelli of Mercedes has achieved pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix, outperforming Max Verstappen. His teammate George Russell will start from fourth, while Lando Norris faces a 10-place grid penalty.Page 8 of 9