- Isack Hadjar qualified third for the United States Grand Prix, just 0.036 seconds behind Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen and 0.215 seconds off polesitter Kimi Antonelli.
- Hadjar bounced back from early practice struggles and track-limit deletions after extensive set-up changes unlocked performance in his Red Bull car.
- With Verstappen starting second and Hadjar starting third, Red Bull aims to use its two-car numerical advantage to challenge championship leader Antonelli on race day.
Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar believes the team can capitalize on a numerical advantage against polesitter and current championship leader Kimi Antonelli at the United States Grand Prix. Starting from the second row, the French-Algerian driver delivered an impressive turnaround after enduring a severely disrupted build-up at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Hadjar secured third position on the grid with a lap time only 0.036 seconds behind his team-mate Max Verstappen, sitting 0.215 seconds adrift of Antonelli’s pole-winning effort. Hadjar will line up alongside Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who qualified fourth, setting up an intense strategic battle at the front of the field.
Overcoming a ‘Disaster’ Start to the Austin Weekend
The strong qualifying result followed a troubled set of practice sessions where Hadjar struggled to post clean lap times due to track limit infringements and operational delays.
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It’s been a disaster of a weekend for me,
Hadjar explained in the post-qualifying press conference. I’ve had all my lap times deleted all the time. This morning, I could not complete a single lap on the soft tyres.
Despite the setbacks leading into the decisive sessions, significant adjustments behind the scenes transformed the handling of the car when it mattered most.
I knew there was something in the car because there were times when I could do half a lap and I felt comfortable, but I could never finish it. But in that qualifying, the car really came alive a bit more for me. We really dug deep on the set-up. We tried so many things this weekend, and it really paid off,
Hadjar added.
Q3 Execution and Red Bull’s Strategic Edge
Reflecting on the final top-10 shootout, Hadjar acknowledged mixed feelings regarding the potential performance left on the table during his earlier runs in Q3, particularly when track and weather conditions shifted.
So, on that note, it’s really, really satisfying. But I’m a bit gutted, not too much about the last lap, but more about the first attempt in Q3, because yes, the track was worse on that final lap and it wasn’t a great lap, but it was the same for everyone,
he said. On that first lap, I really felt like I lost so much time with that massive tailwind I got, and I felt like there was a bit more today. But yeah, I’m happy with the comeback, let’s say.
Looking ahead to the grand prix, Red Bull is positioned directly behind Antonelli, who sits alone on the front row without immediate protection from a team-mate. When asked if he thinks he can challenge Antonelli for the win in the grand prix tomorrow, Hadjar pointed to the power of having two Red Bull cars in second and third.
It’s the two of us, so it’s a bit of an advantage. So we’ll try and use that,
Hadjar said.
Why This Matters
The starting lineup at the Circuit of the Americas sets the stage for critical tactical play at the sharp end of the championship. With Antonelli holding pole position as the current points leader, having both Verstappen and Hadjar starting second and third gives Red Bull multiple strategic alternatives. The team can split tire strategies, run aggressive undercut attempts, or apply simultaneous pressure into Turn 1 to disrupt Antonelli’s race pace.
For Hadjar, overcoming persistent track limit issues and a lack of soft-tire practice data underscores his qualifying resilience. Delivering a lap within four-hundredths of Verstappen reinforces Red Bull’s baseline competitiveness on high-downforce circuits as the season approaches its critical stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will Isack Hadjar start the United States Grand Prix?
Isack Hadjar will start from third on the grid, lining up directly behind polesitter Kimi Antonelli and second-place Max Verstappen, and alongside Charles Leclerc in fourth.
What challenges did Hadjar face before qualifying?
Hadjar suffered multiple deleted lap times throughout the practice sessions and was unable to complete a single timed lap on soft tires during Saturday morning’s practice run before a radical set-up overhaul restored car balance.
When does the United States Grand Prix take place?
The United States Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 25 October at the Circuit of the Americas.
