Isack Hadjar produced a remarkable turnaround from his practice struggles to claim P3 on the grid for the 2026 F1 United States GP.
Through Friday and FP3, he was struggling for any kind of balance and grip, leading to significant set-up changes ahead of qualifying. He was also regularly losing times because of track limits.
In FP1, FP2, FP3, Hadjar was 1.6s, 0.9s and 0.8s slower than Max Verstappen, although it was not as big as those suggested for the aforementioned reason. Nonetheless, a P8 looked likely on Saturday afternoon.
Qualifying was much better. P4 in Q1, the Frenchman was on the same set in Q2 as he advanced in 8th. On his first attempt in Q3, he ended up in 3rd, a mere 0.036s behind his four-time World Champion teammate. Kimi Antonelli was ahead of both.
As the track got away from the drivers on run 2, it stayed that way.
Isack Hadjar reflects on amazing recovery in 2026 F1 United States GP qualifying
As he analysed a weekend full of lows that became a big high in qualifying, the 22-year-old lamented a big tailwind into Turns 13 and 15 on that first push lap. He was 0.080s slower than Verstappen in the final sector on those vital banker laps.
“I mean, it’s been a disaster of a weekend for me.
“I’ve had all my lap times deleted all the time. This morning, I could not complete a single lap on the soft tyres.
“I knew there was something in the car because there were times where I could do half a lap and I felt comfortable, but I could never finish it. But in that qualifying, the car really came alive a bit more for me.
“We really dug deep on the set-up. We tried so many things this weekend, and it really paid off. So, on that note, it’s really, really satisfying.
“But I’m a bit gutted, not too much about the last lap, but more about the first attempt in Q3, because yes, the track was worse on that final lap and it wasn’t a great lap, but it was the same for everyone. On that first lap, I really felt like I lost so much time with that massive tailwind I got, and I felt like there was a bit more today.
“But yeah, I’m happy with the comeback, let’s say.”
Pole position was possible
When asked if he felt pole was on, the two-time F1 podium finisher was straight to the point: “Yes”.
Unusually, Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen both made it into Q3 at the 2026 F1 United States GP by using a single set of softs through Q1 and Q2. The Malaysia and Singapore winner was P4, 0.273s away from the fastest time.
Because of that, the former Racing Bulls driver felt a 1-2 was on the cards at the time.
“Honestly, I was also quite surprised in Q2 by Max’s lap time on the used tyre. Even I felt happy. So I thought we had a shot at the front row.
“But Kimi did a fantastic job.”
Red Bull duo working together to try and get Antonelli in the 2026 F1 United States GP
With George Russell down in 6th, the championship leader has the Red Bulls and then the Ferraris directly behind him. Isack Hadjar is hopeful Max Verstappen and he can put the squeeze on Kimi Antonelli in the 2026 F1 United States GP race through pace and strategy.
“Yes. I mean, also it’s the two of us, so it’s a bit of an advantage. So we’ll try and use that.”
