Isack Hadjar Takes Blame for Heavy Austin Qualifying Crash
Summary
Isack Hadjar admitted full responsibility for his qualifying crash at the Circuit of the Americas, calling it a 'me issue' after starting Q1 with too much speed. The incident forces him to start the US Grand Prix from the last position. This setback is significant for Hadjar, who is under evaluation by Red Bull for a potential 2026 F1 seat alongside Max Verstappen.
Isack Hadjar has taken full responsibility for the crash that ended his qualifying session prematurely at the Circuit of the Americas, stating it was a 'me issue.' The Racing Bulls driver will start the United States Grand Prix from the back of the grid after hitting the wall at Turn 6 during Q1.
Why it matters:
- Hadjar's incident puts him at a significant disadvantage for the main race and comes at a critical juncture in his career.
- With Red Bull expected to finalize its 2026 driver lineup soon, strong performances are vital for drivers hoping to secure a top-tier seat.
The Details:
- Hadjar's crash occurred early in Q1 at Turn 6, bringing out a red flag.
- Replays showed the Frenchman carrying too much speed through the rapid esses section, leading to the loss of control.
- Speaking to media, Hadjar admitted: "I just got it wrong the way I approached the section. Took it too easy [in] the first half [of the section] and arrived with too much speed [in] the second half."
- He confirmed there were no car issues, attributing the crash solely to a driver error: "The way it snapped, I was already in the wall, so nothing I could have done."
- While acknowledging difficulties with the car's handling throughout the lap, he reiterated: "When I lost it, it was a 'me' issue, rather than anything else."
- This disappointing qualifying follows a P12 finish in the Austin sprint race, outside the points.
The Big Picture:
- The USA-Mexico double-header is crucial for Hadjar as Red Bull evaluates its driver options for 2026.
- Hadjar is reportedly guaranteed a race seat for next season but is vying for a promotion to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.
- A strong showing in these races is paramount for his aspirations to join the senior team.
What's next:
- Hadjar will start the United States Grand Prix from P20, aiming to salvage points from a challenging weekend.
- He acknowledged the need for improvement, stating: "There's still [the grand prix] to go and try to make something special out of it, but definitely, I need to do a better job next week."
- His performance in the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix will be closely watched by Red Bull decision-makers.
Original Article :https://racingnews365.com/isack-hadjar-makes-me-issue-declaration-after-heavy-au...