Follow us on Google Discover Isack Hadjar crashed out at the start of qualifying for the United States Grand Prix on Saturday. It’s the first time all season the Racing Bulls driver has failed to reach Q2.
Hadjar lost control of his VCARB02 through the high-speed, sweeping first sector. He hit the barrier at high speed, and while the medical car was deployed, he confirmed to the team that he was okay and there were no obvious ill effects.
Red Bull will choose their 2025 F1 line-ups after the Mexico City Grand Prix next weekend. This is unlikely to change the direction of travel, with Hadjar set to replace Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen’s teammate.
The French rookie failed to score in the Sprint race, having started and finished 12th. A pit-lane start for Sunday is a possibility.
Isack Hadjar was visibly furious in Racing Bulls car after US Grand Prix crash
Speaking in commentary for BBC Radio 5 Live, 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill noted that Hadjar was ‘very, very cross’ in the cockpit. He could be seen ‘banging his race helmet’ and pounding the steering wheel in frustration during a prolonged outburst.
“Isack Hadjar is very, very cross with himself,” Hill said. “We can see him in the car, he’s banging his race helmet, as if to punish himself.
“He’s annoyed that he’s made the mistake. That was a hefty impact into the barrier.”
On one level, the most ambitious drivers should be annoyed with themselves when they make unforced errors. Helmut Marko is known to be ruthless with young talents on his radar.
But Hadjar’s reaction to the crash, albeit with adrenaline at its peak, may raise concerns at Red Bull about his ability to control his emotions and respond to setbacks.
After David Croft described Hadjar as ‘utterly furious’, Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle added: “As we’ve seen with Isack Hadjar before, he gets extremely upset with himself.”
What Isack Hadjar said when Red Bull suggested second year at Racing Bulls
Red Bull see Hadjar as a potential ‘successor’ to Verstappen as their number-one driver when the Dutchman eventually moves on.
He’s arguably the most promising driver they’ve had since signing Verstappen in 2015.
However, some at Red Bull have internally argued that Hadjar should stay at Racing Bulls for a second year to avoid burning out alongside Verstappen. They discussed this idea with the driver himself, but he assured them that he knew what he’d be taking on.
Saturday’s events do raise some doubts over whether Hadjar is psychologically ready for the extreme pressure of partnering the world champion, even if he’s shown formidable speed this year.
Marko thinks 2026 is a good time for Hadjar to move, with the extensive regulation changes amounting to a reset.