Hadjar reflects on ‘perfect start to Red Bull career’ after P3 in Qualifying for Australian GP

Isack Hadjar felt that his P3 result in Qualifying for the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix was the “perfect start” to his Red Bull career, despite admitting that he also saw the day as “damage limitation”.

After a crash for team mate Max Verstappen in Q1 left Hadjar as the team’s sole car for the remainder of Qualifying, the French driver appeared in good form throughout Saturday’s session and ultimately proved the closest challenger to the Mercedes pair, qualifying in third behind George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Reflecting on the outcome afterwards, Hadjar admitted that he was pleased to begin his new chapter with Red Bull in a positive fashion, having made the step up to the squad following his rookie season with Racing Bulls.

“I’m very happy,” he explained. “When I crossed the line I knew it was a good lap, maybe top three, which it was, so very happy with a smooth session. It’s a perfect start to my Red Bull career.”

However, when asked how the car was feeling out on track, Hadjar added: “That’s the thing, it never feels good enough. But we know our weaknesses, and there’s a lot of work to be done.

“Today was more of a damage limitation, to be honest. It was a very good lap but I just feel like we need to improve at the moment.

“We’re eight-tenths away from pole. Last year this would have been out of Q1.”

In terms of his expectations for Sunday’s Grand Prix, Hadjar is hoping to follow up on the maiden rostrum that he achieved in last year’s Dutch Grand Prix.

Quizzed on whether he could catch the Mercedes cars off the line, the 21-year-old answered: “The only thing I can do is take a better start, but they’re just too fast at the moment.

“I want to keep my position – a second podium would be good.”