Isack Hadjar Sounds Alarm on Red Bull's Disastrous Performance After 2026 Japanese GP
In a shocking revelation that has sent waves through the F1 community, Isack Hadjar labeled the Red Bull RB22 chassis as “terrible” following a dismal outing at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix. The Suzuka International Racing Course witnessed a lackluster performance from both Hadjar and his teammate, Max Verstappen, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the team's future.
The duo struggled to find any semblance of speed, with Red Bull's car proving to be a heavyweight contender—far from the nimble racing machine fans have come to expect. Hadjar’s frustration boiled over after finishing a disappointing 12th, a stark contrast to his earlier success of out-qualifying the four-time world champion for the second time this season. “This is not even one percent of how bad this race was,” Hadjar lamented, reflecting on his struggle against fellow competitor Arvid Lindblad.
The race began with promise, but quickly unraveled when Hadjar dropped from eighth to ninth due to a rough start and an aggressive maneuver from Verstappen, who shoved him wide at the Casio Triangle. Even after switching to hard tires on Lap 22, his fortunes did not improve—only to be further compounded by a safety car deployment that left him trapped in a traffic jam of cars. As the race progressed, he lost positions to rivals like Nico Hulkenberg, sealing a grim weekend for the Red Bull team.
Hadjar emphasized that the power unit was not the issue, stating, “We have a good power unit. Engine’s good. Everything is just the chassis side. It’s terrible. Just slow in the corners for one.” This stark admission highlights the critical need for Red Bull to address its chassis woes, which are severely hindering performance.
The team’s struggles are not just confined to the track; they are also mired in speculation regarding Verstappen’s future in the sport, with the team lying sixth in the constructors’ championship—a staggering 109 points behind leaders Mercedes. The 2026 season marks Red Bull's worst start since 2015, a concerning statistic for a team that once dominated the grid.
With the Miami Grand Prix looming, the team has a month to remedy their ongoing issues. But with no clear solutions in sight, the pressure mounts. Hadjar succinctly put it: “But we have no lead on how we can make the car faster.” As the F1 world watches closely, Red Bull faces an uphill battle to reclaim their status and revive their competitive edge. The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher.