Isack Hadjar 3rd, but 8th on the grid: “I’d love to do another qualifying session”

Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar finished third in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia (though he will start the race in eighth place due to an engine penalty). After the qualifying session, in which his team-mate Max Verstappen secured pole position, he was nevertheless not entirely satisfied – and that is not down to the impending penalty, but because he felt he could have achieved even more. Hadjar: “I’m delighted to have fought my way into the top three. Even though it wasn’t my best qualifying session, it feels good.”

Hadjar would like to do another qualifying session

Hadjar, for whom this was his first race at Sepang: “Even after three practice sessions, I felt I needed more time on the track. The number of laps is severely limited because the tyres wear out so quickly. With each tyre compound, you basically get one lap on which you can learn something. I worked well throughout the weekend, but I wish there was another qualifying session I could do to improve the car’s balance.”

And one small detail might have made a difference: “I’m not happy with how we finished the session. There were a few issues with energy recovery on the final lap. It’s not really all coming together. But to be third with this performance – normally I’d be eighth or thereabouts. So we should be happy with that.”

In general, too – Hadjar is on a roll at the moment. A week ago in Baku, he started the race from fourth on the grid and finished third. Hadjar had missed the three GPs before that due to a wrist injury. It almost seems as though the break caused by the injury has made him even stronger.

Hadjar says, however, that it’s mainly the car that has improved during his absence. The young Frenchman, who is currently in his second Formula 1 season, says: “The car has been running very well since last week, so it’s nice to be back at a time like this.”

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Hadjar observed: “It definitely feels as though I’ve got into a car that’s much better than the one in Budapest (his last race before the injury, ed.). When you haven’t raced for a few races, you notice the difference much more. I’m pleasantly surprised by the car. There are still things that need major improvements. But the car is performing well, so that’s good news. I’m surprised, though, that it’s working so well on a track with so little grip. Normally, our car doesn’t perform that well on tracks like this. It’s good that it’s working in Baku and Sepang, two very different circuits.”

Still, only starting from 8th place

However, because Isack Hadjar has to change the engine – and will therefore exceed the permitted quota – he won’t be starting the Grand Prix in third place, but only from eighth on the grid. Hadjar: “It’s a bit of a shame. We have to accept the penalty on this track, where we’re so quick, but starting from 8th place, I’m confident we can fight our way through the field and achieve a good result.”