Source: Official Team Post via X
Isack Hadjar Calls for Red Bull Clutch Overhaul After US GP Setbacks
Following a frustrating United States Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar has called for Red Bull to redesign their 'fragile' clutch system. The French driver, who finished sixth, struggled with start-line issues and mapping problems.
Isack Hadjar's frustrations were palpable after the United States Grand Prix, where the Red Bull driver demanded a complete overhaul of the team's clutch system, describing it as 'fragile.' Starting from third on the grid at the Circuit of The Americas, Hadjar's race quickly went awry as he lost ground to the Ferrari drivers at the start.
Hadjar's race was further compromised by a mapping issue post-pit stop, which cost him valuable time. He eventually finished sixth, trailing race winner Kimi Antonelli by about 30 seconds. The Frenchman was vocal about his dissatisfaction, particularly with Red Bull's decision to put him on hard Pirelli tyres, which he felt contributed to his woes.
After the race, Hadjar expressed his frustrations to Sky Sports, citing clutch over-delivery as a persistent issue despite following all starting procedures correctly. He lamented, 'It’s starting to piss me off, you know,' and added that poor radio communication only compounded his problems, leaving him on the wrong engine map and losing time each lap.
Red Bull’s clutch issues have also affected Max Verstappen, and Hadjar was forthright in his assessment, stating, 'It needs a redesign. That’s it.' He elaborated that the current clutch struggles with temperature and over-delivers, a problem he believes could be the difference between his current finishes and podium appearances.
When asked about his confidence in Red Bull resolving these issues by next season, Hadjar was less than optimistic, responding with a candid, 'Yeah, yeah. No, I’m not confident.'
In the media bullpen, Hadjar reiterated his stance, emphasizing the need for a new clutch system, as he remains convinced that fixing these 'silly things' could significantly improve his race outcomes. While Red Bull has proven adept at handling complex challenges, Hadjar's experience in Austin highlights that sometimes, it's the simpler issues that can derail a race weekend.