Max Verstappen Dismisses Isack Hadjar's Claims on Singapore Performance as 'Nonsense'

Max Verstappen has dismissed comments from teammate Isack Hadjar regarding the performance gap between the Red Bull RB22 and the Ferrari SF-26. The tension arose after Hadjar suggested Verstappen could have dominated the Singapore GP even more convincingly if he had been behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

Why it matters:

In a season where technical parity is closely scrutinized, internal team friction—especially between a dominant champion and a rising talent—can signal shifts in team dynamics. Verstappen's refusal to engage highlights his preference for tangible results over hypothetical scenarios, emphasizing a divide in perspective between the veteran champion and the second-year driver.

The Details:

• Hadjar's Claim: The Frenchman asserted that the RB22 is not currently the fastest car on the grid and suggested that Verstappen's 7.3s lead over Charles Leclerc in Singapore would have been even wider in the SF-26.
• On-Track Reality: Despite the claims, Verstappen secured pole position and victory in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix at Marina Bay, a circuit widely expected to favor Ferrari's superior cornering capabilities.
• Verstappen's Response: Verstappen labeled the media's focus on these comments as an attempt to "agitate people," noting it is logically impossible to quantify performance in a car he has never driven.
• Unified Dismissal: Charles Leclerc also dismissed Hadjar's assertions, aligning with Verstappen's view that the debate lacks any factual substance.

The Big Picture:

As the 2026 season progresses, the technical battle between Red Bull and Ferrari has intensified. While Red Bull's recent upgrades in Azerbaijan unlocked significant performance, the perception of which car holds the ultimate edge remains a point of contention. This clash of opinions reflects the high-pressure environment of a championship fight where every millisecond is analyzed.

What's next:

With the US Grand Prix underway, the focus shifts from hypothetical car swaps to real-world execution. The Red Bull garage will aim to maintain internal stability and focus on the RB22's development to ensure they remain the benchmark for the remainder of the season.