Red Bull confirms further power unit changes for Hadjar ahead of Chinese GP

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar will take additional new power unit components for the Chinese Grand Prix, pushing him closer to the season's limit for allowed changes. This follows a major overhaul after his Melbourne retirement and compounds a challenging Shanghai weekend for the team, which also saw Max Verstappen struggle for pace.

Why it matters:

Power unit components are strictly limited per season, and exceeding the allocation results in grid penalties. Hadjar is now using his final permitted Energy Store and Control Electronics unit for 2026, meaning any future failures or changes would directly impact his starting position in upcoming races, adding strategic pressure for the remainder of his rookie campaign.

The details:

• The FIA confirmed Hadjar will fit a new Energy Store (ES) and Control Electronics unit (PU-CE) ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
• These are the third and final units allowed for the 2026 season under the sporting regulations, putting him at the limit for these components.
• This follows a previous change in Melbourne where he received a new Internal Combustion Engine, turbocharger, exhaust, and MGU-K after a race-ending failure.
• Hadjar's difficult weekend included a Sprint Race collision with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, for which the latter received a penalty. Hadjar finished P15 and was visibly frustrated post-race, dismissing Antonelli's apology.
• Teammate Max Verstappen also faced a poor weekend, calling his P9 Sprint finish a "disaster" and qualifying P8 for the Grand Prix with a reported tire strategy disadvantage.

What's next:

Hadjar will start the Chinese Grand Prix from P9 on the grid, directly behind Verstappen in P8. All focus now shifts to race reliability and damage limitation. With no remaining allowances for his ES and PU-CE, the team must manage these components meticulously to avoid costly grid drops later in the season, turning every remaining session into a test of durability.