Despite a wing issue, Isack Hadjar delivered one of his strongest performances of the season at Silverstone, showcasing his growth at Red Bull. His ability to learn from Max Verstappen continues to impress Team Principal Laurent Mekies.
Isack Hadjar had a notable race at Silverstone, which could have been even more impressive if not for a pesky wing issue. While Max Verstappen wrestled with his own car problems, Hadjar managed to qualify fifth, two spots ahead of his illustrious teammate, despite the latter’s balance and power unit woes.
During the race, Hadjar initially held his qualifying position until Verstappen overtook him on the fourth lap. However, Hadjar soon experienced a mysterious drop in performance, initially blaming his tyres. A pit stop for fresh rubber didn't solve the problem, and it was later discovered that his front wing was damaged. This cost him a precious eight seconds during a second pit stop but immediately improved his pace by two seconds per lap.
Reflecting on his race, Hadjar said, "The first few laps were great. I kept up with Max nicely until the car’s performance just vanished. I thought it was my tyre management at first, but after the wing change, everything was crystal clear."
Hadjar’s early race pace suggested he could have challenged for fourth, but an unresolved Safety Car situation, courtesy of Verstappen’s incident, ended any further progress. "I was ready for a final lap; maybe even a podium," Hadjar remarked, frustrated by the abrupt end.
Despite the setbacks, Hadjar’s performance didn’t go unnoticed by Red Bull’s boss, Laurent Mekies, who praised his progress. "Isack has been consistently strong, learning from Max and improving with each race," Mekies noted. "He's not just following Max; he's carving his own path and growing more skilled every time he gets in the car."
Mekies also commented on why Hadjar seemed less vocal than Verstappen about the car's issues. "Max is projecting the car’s potential, while Isack, being newer, doesn’t yet elaborate on it as much," Mekies explained. Both drivers see the balance limitations, but Verstappen articulates the potential corrections more experiencedly.
Hadjar’s development at Red Bull is a promising story, showing that he’s not just there to fill a seat. As he continues to learn from Verstappen and hone his skills, the young Frenchman is becoming a valuable asset to the team.