Isack Hadjar, the young French driver recently promoted to the Red Bull team, experienced a first week of testing in Barcelona that was as rich in emotions as it was in lessons. Between solid performances and an unfortunate incident, his season start is far from being a smooth ride.
A Mixed Start
Isack Hadjar, taking over Yuki Tsunoda’s seat this year, made his first steps as a driver for the famous Red Bull team during the Barcelona tests. On Monday, the day began under the best auspices: over 100 laps completed and the fastest time on the clock. The Frenchman, visibly delighted, could never have imagined having such a reliable car from the start.
However, the celebration took an unexpected turn the next day. After taking over from Max Verstappen, Isack was caught out by a wet track at the last corner, causing considerable damage to the rear of the Red Bull. “Unfortunately, on Tuesday, just after switching from [wet] tires to intermediates, I lost control of the car at the last corner, and I know the repercussions were not ideal for the team,” he stated, aware of the consequences of his off-track excursion.
With spare parts being limited, Red Bull had to face an unforeseen situation: no running was possible on Wednesday and Thursday. However, the situation did not have dramatic repercussions, as teams were only allowed three days of testing. The RB22 was able to return to the track on Friday, but only with Verstappen at the wheel, so the Dutchman could make up for lost time.
Unwavering Support
Laurent Mekies, the team principal, downplayed the incident: “Hadjar went out at the end of the day, in really difficult conditions, and with still a lot to improve on the car.” This is a sober assessment, reminding us that starting in a top-level team is not always easy. “It was unfortunate, but it can happen, and it came after a positive day on Monday for him.”
Laurent Mekies
He also emphasized the importance of the work done by the team: “The number of laps completed and the development achieved by the team and him should not be underestimated. The team did an incredible job on track and at the campus to have the RB22 back on track on Friday – there were long nights to ensure a third day of running.”
Encouraging Tests Despite Setbacks
Despite this tumultuous day, the two Red Bull drivers ultimately enjoyed a day and a half of testing. Hadjar, although disappointed by the incident, noted several positive elements. “What is positive is that I had started to understand things in the car and to work on them – there are naturally things to adjust, but it was solid up to that point.”
On his first day, Hadjar was able to benefit from the experience: “It was nice to have a good day on Monday. It was very productive, and we managed to do many more laps than expected; everything was quite smooth, and we only had minor issues. I was quite impressed, considering it was our first day with our own engine.”
Isack Hadjar had a good first day in the Red Bull RB22.
A New Era for Single-Seaters
Hadjar does not hide his enthusiasm for this new generation of single-seaters. “These cars are different, very different; there is much less downforce, and they are a bit more predictable than the previous generation. They are a bit simpler. It’s easier to play with them, and on the engine side, there are many more options for the driver to play with.”
With this enriching experience, Hadjar feels ready for the upcoming season: “I couldn’t be better prepared for this season, and I hope to approach the year well, but we clearly haven’t finished the work; I’m learning every day.”
This mix of apprehension and excitement is an integral part of a driver’s journey in Formula 1. Like any good driver worth their salt, Isack Hadjar knows that every lap counts, and he is ready to take on the challenge.
