Isack Hadjar Slams Red Bull Setup as 'Disaster' Ahead of US GP

Isack Hadjar has voiced severe frustration following a grueling set of practice sessions at the Circuit of the Americas. The Red Bull driver labeled his preparation for the United States Grand Prix a "disaster," citing an undriveable car and critical tire management issues that neutralized his early-lap pace.

Why it matters:

The struggle highlights a concerning disparity in car behavior between the two sides of the Red Bull garage. While Max Verstappen continues to find a competitive rhythm, Hadjar's inability to maintain grip in high-speed sections suggests a critical setup sensitivity. In a championship environment, such a gap in handling can be the difference between a top-ten finish and a back-of-the-pack struggle.

The Details:

• Performance Gap: Hadjar finished FP1 in 14th, trailing pace-setter Charles Leclerc by over 1.5 seconds. Despite improving to ninth in FP2, he remained 1.1 seconds off the lead.
• Tire Degradation: The French driver reported a massive loss of grip immediately following Sector 1. He noted that the soft compound degraded so rapidly that he became slower than when using the medium tires.
• Handling Issues: Hadjar specifically pointed to a loss of the front end in high-speed corners, describing the sensation as being "completely killed."
• Setup Divergence: The driver noted that his car is running a different setup than Verstappen's, which he believes is causing tire temperatures to skyrocket.

What's next:

Red Bull engineers must now urgently align Hadjar's setup with the baseline used by Verstappen to mitigate thermal degradation. With qualifying approaching, the priority is stabilizing the front end in the high-speed opening sector to ensure Hadjar is competitive for Sunday's race.