Isack Hadjar qualified P7 ahead of the 2026 F1 Canadian GP. This came after struggles with engine issues during the Sprint race and RB22 bouncing limitations on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Red Bull Racing driver ended the weekend in the points, up in fifth behind Charles Leclerc, but it did not come without a tasty fight.
Hadjar vs Leclerc at the 2026 F1 Canadian GP
When the Virtual Safety Car came out to clear Russell’s Mercedes, Hadjar was able to overtake the Ferrari due to a double stack. The Frenchman then crossed the line with a late defensive move that forced Leclerc to life, and but it cost Hadjar a 10-second time penalty.
He was not too worried about the penalty as he collects his highest finish this 2026 F1 season. Hadjar was more concerned about the feel of the car throughout the F1 Canadian GP on Sunday.
“I don’t mind the penalties, I think that’s fair. It’s just… I don’t really understand where the pace went because I really felt like I was struggling a lot out there. Yesterday I felt great in the car and now it’s very hard to drive.”
Hadjar continues that he really struggled with the car and felt like the car had regressed to a FP1 feeling.
He continues that once Verstappen and the Ferraris opened the gap, the Red Bull driver couldn’t keep up. This was a stark contrast as he managed to qualify ahead of Leclerc and matched his teammate in Q3 at the 2026 Canadian GP.
“In a way, yeah, I felt like I was back in FP1 to be honest. They’re not pleasant to drive and I need to really dig deep because I felt comfortable the first few laps and then they opened the gap and I could never match their pace. Because yesterday I was easily there.”
Hadjar continues to struggle with the RB22
Max Verstappen expressed his struggles with the Red Bull car during the F1 Canadian GP qualifying. The fluctuation in straight-line speed has been a particular focus. Hadjar jokes that this problem was one of many.
“Well, today I wish straight line speed was the only issue because it was the whole thing.”
The Frenchman admit that firing up the tyres played a part initially. He emphasised that he didn’t have the pace during the race and still doesn’t know why.
“I mean, for the first few laps, yeah, but then there was zero degradation today. It was very consistent, easy to keep the lap times going. On my side, I felt like even when they switched on, I still didn’t have the pace. I have no clue.
Hadjar goes back to his 10-second time penalty for going too far against Leclerc on lap 35. He explains that it was accidental; he was genuinely confused where the Ferrari was going due to the closing speeds.
The French driver apologised for it.
“I was too harsh. I think it wasn’t even on purpose, I just got confused where he was heading. So, I didn’t mean to send him in the grass, obviously. He’s a very clean driver, so I think I just apologised because it was a bit stupid.”
Ultimately, Leclerc finished ahead of Hadjar, but it was a decent result for the Red Bull Racing driver, nonetheless.
Despite a stop-go penalty for failing to slow under double waved yellows as well later on, Isack Hadjar managed to scoop some points for the team at the 2026 F1 Canadian GP.
