Isack Hadjar says new Red Bull car exceeds expectations

Isack Hadjar says the new Red Bull RB22 has exceeded his expectations after a positive shakedown in Barcelona and the first Bahrain test. The car’s Ford‑partnered power unit appears to harvest and deploy energy more efficiently than its rivals, wiping out the doubts that lingered inside the team.

Why it matters:

• The in‑house power unit is a historic shift that could reshape the championship order.
• Higher efficiency boosts qualifying pace and race strategy.
• Early driver confidence can accelerate performance gains.

The details:

• Hadjar logged ~110 laps on day one in Barcelona, calling the car a very positive surprise.
• The RB22 power unit, three years with Ford, shows smoother energy recovery and deployment.
• Internal doubts have faded; the team now calls the car “impressive” and expects only typical teething issues.
• A refined chassis and aero package, developed over three seasons, complement the new engine’s characteristics.

What's next:

• More pre‑season testing in Bahrain will target reliability and tyre management.
• The team aims to lock down a race‑winning setup before the season opener.
• If early impressions hold, Hadjar believes the RB22 can fight for wins, possibly his first Grand Prix victory.