Hadjar shocked by 'instantaneous' spin, highlights Red Bull struggles in China

Isack Hadjar expressed shock at the dramatic spin that sent him to the back of the field on the opening lap of the Chinese Grand Prix, stating he had no time to react. The incident underscored a wider struggle for the Red Bull rookie and the team, which managed only a single points finish as Max Verstappen retired with a mechanical failure.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's spin and subsequent comments reveal more than just a driver error; they highlight significant handling and reliability issues within the Red Bull camp early in the 2026 season. With the reigning champions off the pace and a rookie describing the car as a handful, it points to a deeper competitive challenge that could define their season if not addressed swiftly.

The details:

• The spin occurred at the high-speed Turn 13 while battling Haas' Oliver Bearman on the opening lap, with Hadjar's car rotating 180 degrees.
• Bearman narrowly avoided a collision that would have ended both their races.
• Hadjar described the moment as "very instantaneous," claiming, "The car snapped out from me... I didn't have time to have an input on that."
• He fought an unpredictable car all race, stating, "The car was just super hard to drive [on Sunday], a lot more than it was the last two days."
• The points finish for Hadjar came only after Verstappen, who was on for a top-ten result, retired his RB22 with a mechanical issue in the pit lane.
• Verstappen also reportedly faced substantial handling struggles, compounding the team's difficult weekend.

What's next:

Hadjar's blunt assessment—"With the package we have at the moment, it's all we can deliver. We just need to wait and understand why this is not working"—puts the onus squarely on the team to find solutions. Red Bull must quickly diagnose and rectify the RB22's fundamental handling and reliability gremlins to prevent their challenging start from becoming a season-long trend, especially with a competitive midfield ready to capitalize on any weakness.