Isack Hadjar discusses a weekend of struggles for Red Bull Racing after the 2026 F1 Hungarian GP qualifying where he ended up in 8th. This comes after speaking on his improvement in confidence and performance.
He is right behind his teammate Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship with a margin of 31 points. However, he describes a disappointing weekend and concerns about the Red Bull Racing car being fourth fastest.
Tricky Saturday morning at the 2026 Hungarian GP qualifying
Quite soon after the start of Q2, Hadjar had a spin at turn 12, bringing out a yellow flag at the F1 Hungarian GP qualifying. He still managed to make it to Q3 where he qualified P8.
Hadjar didn’t have much to say about the drive. He mentions being disappointed and that no progress has been made this weekend. He continues that Red Bull is not looking up as they are the fourth fastest car at the 2026 Hungarian GP qualifying.
“Yeah, it’s just very disappointing. There’s not much to say really, it’s just…
“We made no progress this weekend. That’s what the car can give us at the moment. We’re the fourth fastest car. It’s not good.”
Changing conditions on a difficult weekend
Having had a tricky first day, the Red Bull driver explains that changing conditions are making it a difficult track this weekend. There was less wind on track at the F1 Hungarian GP qualifying and he admits they should’ve had a better time.
“Every time. Conditions keep changing. It’s a very different track to yesterday.
“Even like that, it should be helping us a bit. With less wind, but we’re nowhere. If the qualifying was to be with worse conditions, we’d be nowhere.”
Frustrated with the RB22 in the 2026 F1 Hungarian GP qualifying
The Frenchman says it will be tough to overtake at the 2026 Hungarian GP. Frustrated, he explains that he’s putting it all his energy into lap 1.
“It’s going to be hard to overtake tomorrow. I’m putting everything on lap one, and then that’s it.”
He still feels he is struggling with the Red Bull Racing car. He mentions seeing how other drivers take the chicane and knowing it’s impossible for him. At the F1 Hungarian GP qualifying, his limiting factor was the RB22.
“Yeah, I’m suffering with the ride. I see the other guys taking the chicane like they do, it’s impossible with what we have.”
Low expectations
Hadjar says the expectations this weekend are quite low. He explains it’s hard to predict the performance of their car. Additionally, he knows on paper the 2026 Hungarian GP does not bode well for the RB22.
“It’s very low. At the moment, it’s hard to predict the performance of our car. In spite, it looks like it’s a track that on paper is not supposed to be good for us.
Disappointedly, Hadjar mentions the old wing brings the best version of their car. He highlights that they are still fourth fastest at the F1 Hungarian GP qualifying.
“It is not bad. With the old wing, we come here with the best version of our car. The fourth fastest car.”
All out of ideas for improvement
Given Red Bull Racing’s history, the expectation is that they will turn this car around ahead of the 2026 F1 Hungarian GP. The Frenchman pushes back saying they have maxed out the package.
Being halfway through the season, Hadjar has lost track of time. The one thing he knows is that being fourth fastest is a tough place to be after the F1 Hungarian GP qualifying.
“That’s the max of the package.
“I don’t know what round this is, but to be back to fourth [best] is tough.”
