Hadjar: Straight-Line Mode Issue Likely Caused Verstappen's Austria Q3 Crash

Isack Hadjar has pointed to a potential straight-line mode failure as the cause behind Max Verstappen's shock qualifying crash at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver lost control at Turn 9 during his final Q3 lap, sending his heavily upgraded RB22 through the gravel and into the wall.

Why it matters:

A malfunction in the rear wing's transition out of low-drag configuration suggests a possible flaw in Red Bull's latest upgrade package. With the team fighting for critical grid positions, any reliability question surrounding new components adds immediate pressure and raises concerns about whether the updates are truly race-ready.

The details:

• Verstappen's incident came on his last flying lap when the car failed to settle approaching Turn 9, skating across the gravel before hitting the barrier broadside.
• Hadjar, who took eighth in the sister RB22, told media he suspected the straight-line mode was "not closing properly going into the last corner," directly linking the issue to the recent upgrades.
• The Frenchman also faced his own difficulties, admitting he lacks confidence on the brakes and has been unable to rely on his usual late-braking approach.
• He noted that the brake limitations compromise the entire corner entry, preventing him from attacking the lap as aggressively as he would like.

What's next:

Red Bull now faces a race against time to determine whether Verstappen's issue is an isolated fault or a wider problem tied to the new package. With Hadjar also fighting the car under braking, the team must quickly iron out these gremlins to avoid a compromised race day at the Red Bull Ring.