Red Bull Racing in Crisis: Isack Hadjar Questions Team’s Direction Amid Shocking Performance in Japan
In a shocking turn of events, Red Bull Racing finds itself grappling with a puzzling performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, leaving fans and insiders alike scratching their heads. Isack Hadjar, the team’s promising new recruit for 2026, expressed dismay at the team's regression into the Formula 1 midfield, starting Sunday’s race in a disappointing eighth position. Hadjar clocked in a staggering 1.2 seconds behind polesitter Kimi Antonelli, but the real jaws dropped when Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, shockingly exited in Q2, landing in 11th place.
Verstappen didn't mince words, declaring, “There is something wrong” with the RB22 and labeling it “completely undriveable.” This dismal showing is a continuation of Red Bull's woes, as demonstrated during the previous race in China, where they failed to score any points in the sprint and barely scraped together four in the grand prix. Hadjar managed an eighth-place finish while Verstappen faced the humiliation of a mechanical retirement.
The team had hoped that their struggles in Shanghai were merely an aberration, especially after a somewhat encouraging start in Melbourne, where Hadjar qualified third but suffered an engine failure, and Verstappen finished sixth. However, the stark reality of the Japanese circuit has revealed that the Australian performance was, in fact, a false dawn.
When asked if the team has a clear strategy moving forward, Hadjar's response was a blunt “No, not right now.” He added, “What we are seeing this weekend makes no sense,” underscoring the frustration permeating the Red Bull camp. The situation eerily mirrors the tumultuous beginnings of 2025, when the RB21 was an unpredictable beast that only found its footing after mid-season upgrades.
The objective for 2026 was to develop a car that would cater to both drivers and not just favor Verstappen, who has often outclassed his teammates. Yet, instead of battling the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, the team is now being outpaced by Alpine, Audi, and their own sister outfit, Racing Bulls. “It was very hard to drive,” Hadjar lamented. “Last year's car was fast. It was hard to drive, but fast. Our car [in 2026] is hard to drive and slow, so we need more efficiency.”
The balance of the RB22 has emerged as a significant hurdle, particularly on high-speed tracks like Suzuka, where precision is paramount. Hadjar described the challenges he faced during the session, noting, “It changed massively compared to FP3. On my first lap, I thought I was going to crash straight away. It was just sliding everywhere, I was barely turning the steering wheel.”
As the team continues to struggle with the car's load and balance, Hadjar emphasized the unpredictability they face: “Lap by lap, session by session, you always have to guess what you're going to get, so it's not nice to build up.” With the clock ticking and the pressure mounting, Red Bull Racing must urgently find solutions to their glaring issues, or they risk sinking deeper into the mire of the Formula 1 midfield. The stakes have never been higher, and the world will be watching to see if this illustrious team can turn their fortunes around before it’s too late.
