Hadjar Laments 'Sad' Reality of 2026 F1 Regulations After Hungarian GP Success

Isack Hadjar called it "a bit sad" that Formula 1 circuits are now effectively ranked by energy recovery potential under the 2026 regulations, even as he relished a return to "classic racing" at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver explained that while the Hungaroring's abundance of braking zones allowed drivers to reach top speed naturally, iconic power circuits like Spa-Francorchamps have become frustratingly "one of the worst" to race on thanks to the sport's aggressive hybrid demands. For Hadjar, the weekend in Budapest was a rare reminder of how F1 used to feel before battery management became the primary obsession.

Why it matters:

The 2026 rules, which introduced a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power, have fundamentally altered how drivers attack different tracks. The need to manage battery states has produced two unwelcome byproducts: super-clipping, where the MGU-K saps straight-line speed to recharge the battery, and excessive lift-and-coast through corners. Those tactics drain the spectacle from traditional power-dependent venues and are quietly reshaping the competitive pecking order of the calendar based on energy opportunity rather than pure racing merit.

The details:

• Track hierarchy inverted: Hadjar noted that Spa ranks among the greatest tracks on the calendar for fans and drivers alike, yet it was deeply unpleasant to race this season. By contrast, the Hungaroring—often called "Monaco without the walls"—delivered genuine racing pleasure because its slower corners and heavy braking zones provide plentiful regeneration, allowing drivers to focus on racing rather than energy conservation.
• Ongoing adjustments: F1 introduced mid-season tweaks to limit super-clipping after sustained driver criticism, with further power unit changes already planned for 2027 and 2028. Despite those efforts, the fundamental tension between harvesting electrical energy and delivering outright performance remains unresolved, leaving drivers to game the regulations rather than push flat-out everywhere.
• Red Bull's struggle: Despite scoring sixth in Budapest, Hadjar was scathing about the RB22. He sarcastically flagged "terrible" downshifts as a backward step for the team and admitted he never found a driveable setup all weekend, even though teammate Max Verstappen extracted an "unbelievable" second place from the same machinery.
  • Both Red Bull drivers have vented repeatedly over gearbox issues this season, and Hadjar singled out overall grip as another lingering weakness that prevents the car from coming alive on paper-friendly circuits.

What's next:

The season resumes at Zandvoort later this month, a layout Hadjar expects to suit the current formula better than the energy-hungry Monza round that follows in September. As the grid braces for more lift-and-coast tactics at high-speed venues, the pressure on rulemakers to restore the racing purity of F1's classic circuits will only intensify.