Isack Hadjar Demands Red Bull Clutch Redesign After Frustrating US GP

Isack Hadjar is calling for a complete redesign of the Red Bull clutch following a series of technical failures that derailed his United States Grand Prix. Despite starting in a career-best third position at the Circuit of the Americas, Hadjar plummeted to sixth, citing a "fragile" system that consistently fails under thermal stress.

Why it matters:

The frustration expressed by Hadjar highlights a systemic reliability issue within the RB22. In a sport where milliseconds define the result, a flawed launch system effectively nullifies qualifying efforts. For Hadjar, these recurring failures are no longer just "bad luck" but a fundamental design flaw that limits his ability to challenge for podiums in the 2026 season.

The details:

• The Start: Hadjar suffered from "clutch over delivery," causing him to lose critical positions to Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap.
• Operational Chaos: The race was further compromised by poor radio coverage and a mapping error upon exiting the pits, which cost him significant time on the hard compound tyres.
• Technical Failure: Hadjar explicitly stated the clutch is too fragile and unable to cope with temperature fluctuations, demanding an immediate redesign.
• Recurring Pattern: This is not an isolated incident; the RB22 has shown a consistent vulnerability at the start throughout the current campaign.

What's next:

The pressure is now on Red Bull's engineering team to address the fragility of the RB22's launch system before the final stretch of the season. With Hadjar openly expressing his dissatisfaction, the team must decide whether a rapid redesign is feasible or if the driver must simply adapt to the car's limitations. Failure to resolve these issues could jeopardize Hadjar's momentum and his overall championship standing.