Karun Chandhok Fears Isack Hadjar 'Spiral' After Miami GP Crash

Isack Hadjar's crash in the Miami Grand Prix has sparked concerns from former F1 driver Karun Chandhok that the rookie could be entering a downward spiral, mirroring the struggles of previous Red Bull second drivers. Hadjar crashed on lap six after clipping the inside wall at Turn 15, breaking his steering column and ending his race early. The incident capped a difficult weekend where he was consistently outpaced by teammate Max Verstappen—a stark contrast to their close form in Japan just weeks earlier.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's historical pattern of second drivers falling away from Verstappen is well documented. If Hadjar slips into that same trajectory, it could undermine the team's constructors' championship hopes and put pressure on their driver development program. Chandhok's warning highlights a critical juncture for the Frenchman's rookie season.

The details:

• Performance gap returns: After being "nip and tuck" with Verstappen in Japan, Hadjar was suddenly eight to nine-tenths slower in Miami—a gap Chandhok calls "telling." He notes the gap reappeared right after Red Bull brought a significant upgrade to the car.
• Crash details: Hadjar lost control on lap six when his car touched the inside wall at Turn 15, damaging the steering column. He then speared into the outside barrier, ending his race.
• Chandhok's concern: "I feel bad for Hadjar because that lap five shunt is not what he would have wanted. He needed mileage to get some confidence back. I hope this isn't the beginning of the spiral for him, like we saw with the previous five, six teammates."
• Context: The upgrade pushed Red Bull closer to the front rows and pole positions, but it also seems to have amplified the performance gap between Verstappen and Hadjar, suggesting the car's increased performance envelope is harder for the rookie to exploit.

What's next:

Hadjar needs to reset quickly ahead of the next race weekend. Chandhok emphasizes that rebuilding confidence through mileage is crucial. The Frenchman will have to prove he can adapt to the upgraded car and close the gap—or risk becoming another name on the list of Verstappen's dominant teammates. Red Bull will be watching closely.