Isack Hadjar’s Performance
On March 7, 2026, Isack Hadjar qualified in P3 for the Australian Grand Prix, marking the best qualifying performance of his career to date. This achievement comes after a challenging start to the season, where Hadjar had previously crashed out on the formation lap during his debut race in Australia in 2025.
During the qualifying session, Hadjar progressed through Q1 in P5 and continued to show impressive speed, finishing Q2 in a strong position before securing P3 in Q3. His final lap was described as “really good,” demonstrating his growing confidence and skill behind the wheel.
Hadjar’s performance was particularly notable given that he was the only Red Bull car remaining in the qualifying session after teammate Max Verstappen crashed in Q1, preventing him from setting a time. Verstappen’s crash added pressure on Hadjar, but he managed to rise to the occasion.
Finishing behind George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, Hadjar expressed surprise at his final position, acknowledging the speed of the Mercedes drivers, stating, “They’re just too fast.” Despite this, he aims for a better start than the Mercedes drivers during the race.
Hadjar’s qualifying session went smoothly, despite challenges throughout the weekend. His strong performance is a continuation of his upward trajectory, following a podium finish at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, where he finished third.
As Hadjar prepares for the race, he reflects on his journey from a strong rookie season with Racing Bulls to making his debut for Red Bull. His ambition is clear as he seeks to build on this qualifying success and achieve a strong result in the race.
The significance of this qualifying performance extends beyond just a position on the grid; it highlights Hadjar’s potential as a rising star in Formula 1 and sets the stage for future competitions.
With the race ahead, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Hadjar capitalizes on this promising start in the Australian Grand Prix.
