Isack Hadjar Points Out Red Bull's Starting Line Struggles

Isack Hadjar has cast an analytical eye over Red Bull's performance heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix, homing in on an area that needs addressing if they’re to convert their potential into victory. The French driver, still smarting from a slow getaway at the United States Grand Prix, believes Red Bull's starts are an Achilles' heel worth focusing on.

The race in Austin saw Hadjar, who qualified an impressive P3, slip down the order on the opening lap due to a sluggish start and a throttle issue, ultimately crossing the line in P6. It's been a tricky spell for the 22-year-old, who also missed out on a podium in Sepang due to a battery glitch and had a challenging time in Singapore, finishing P10 amid technical woes.

Despite these setbacks, Hadjar remains upbeat about Red Bull’s underlying speed. Reflecting on the Austin race, he expressed frustration at what he described as "everything going wrong" but took solace in the car's raw pace. "I'm still a bit frustrated about [Austin]," he admitted, "but I came back from such a tough weekend to fighting for pole and having great pace on Sunday."

Hadjar acknowledged that technical issues, including radio problems, added to his challenges in Austin. "We struggled a bit with a few issues, radio-wise," he explained. "I was blocked on something, which was quite frustrating to drive with, and the start was not nice."

His teammate, Max Verstappen, has shown that Red Bull can still clinch victories, having won in Malaysia and Singapore. This gives Hadjar hope that a strong performance in Mexico is possible. "There have been times when we've thought, 'Oh, we've got this under control,' and then it went back in the other direction," he said. "Austin was one of those weekends. I can't guarantee anything, but I know we'll push hard."

As for the upcoming race in Mexico, Hadjar is aware of the challenges that lie ahead. "There's nothing that could be done in the last couple of days," he conceded. "We go with what we have, and in the past we've managed some good ones. We want to replicate that, and we'll push through until the end."

Hadjar highlighted the need for improved starts and better radio communication, while also acknowledging the car's robust pace. "We're aware of the weakness – we need better starts," he said. "We need better radio quality because it's a bit difficult to do a race without that. And the pace was, I must say, very strong. We're happy about that."

Looking ahead to Mexico, Hadjar noted the unique challenges of the circuit. "It's a track that's so slippery, you're just sliding around so much," he remarked. "It's not the most enjoyable, but it's a great layout so let's see. I'll just try to adapt. If we can minimise the damage, I'm happy. At the start, it's also a long run down to Turn 1. We can get a nice tow, and that can help for sure."