Isack Hadjar reflects on ‘perfect start to Red Bull career’ after P3 in Qualifying for Australian Grand Prix

Isack Hadjar felt that his P3 end result in Qualifying for the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix was the “perfect start” to his Red Bull profession, regardless of admitting that he additionally noticed the day as “damage limitation”.

After a crash for teammate Max Verstappen in Q1 left Hadjar As the group’s sole automobile for the rest of Qualifying, the French driver appeared in good type all through Saturday’s session and in the end proved the closest challenger to the mercedes pair, qualifying in third behind George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Reflecting on the result afterwards, Hadjar admitted that he was happy to start his new chapter with Red Bull in a optimistic trend, having made the step up to the squad following his rookie season with Racing Bulls.

“I’m very happy,” he defined. “When I crossed the line I knew it was a good lap, maybe top three, which it was, so very happy with a smooth session. It’s a perfect start to my Red Bull career.”

However, when requested how the automobile was feeling out on monitor, Hadjar added: “That’s the factor, it by no means feels adequate. But we all know our weaknesses, and there is a variety of work to be carried out.

“Today was more of a damage limitation, to be honest. It was a very good lap but I just feel like we need to improve at the moment.

“We’re eight-tenths away from pole. Last 12 months this could have been out of Q1.”

In phrases of his expectations for Sunday’s Grand Prix, Hadjar is hoping to observe up on the maiden rostrum that he achieved in final 12 months’s Dutch Grand Prix.

Quizzed on whether or not he may catch the Mercedes vehicles off the road, the 21-year-old answered: “The solely factor I can do is take a greater start, however they’re simply too quick in the intervening time.

“I want to keep my position – a second podium would be good.”