Isack Hadjar: From 'Disaster' to P3 in Austin

Isack Hadjar has secured a P3 start for the United States Grand Prix after a weekend that began as a complete disaster. Despite the dramatic recovery, the Frenchman admits he is "gutted" over a missed opportunity for a front-row start, believing external factors cost him a shot at his first F1 pole position.

Why it matters:

This result marks Red Bull's strongest two-car qualifying performance of the 2026 season. For Hadjar, the turnaround is a critical psychological victory, proving he can extract maximum pace from the RB22 even after a weekend plagued by setup struggles and repeated lap deletions during practice.

The Details:

• The Struggle: Hadjar spent the early sessions fighting for balance and comfort in the RB22, remaining significantly off Max Verstappen's pace throughout Friday.
• The Turnaround: After digging deep into the setup, Hadjar rallied in qualifying to finish third, trailing Verstappen by a razor-thin 0.036s.
• The Missed Opportunity: Despite the P3 result, Hadjar expressed frustration over his first Q3 attempt, citing a massive tailwind that robbed him of the time needed to challenge the front row.
• Competitive Edge: The result positions Red Bull with a strategic advantage, placing two cars in the top three to challenge the lone Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli.

What's next:

As the grid prepares for the race, Red Bull will look to leverage their numerical superiority to disrupt Antonelli's pace. Hadjar remains optimistic that a combination of tactical execution and the team's current momentum could convert this recovery into a podium finish or a victory.