Isack Hadjar joined the slew of drivers complaining about the 2026 Formula 1 cars under the regulation overhaul.
The Frenchman’s criticism focused less on the energy-saving aspect of the car that the likes of Max Verstappen have criticised, and more on the car’s overall speed.
Coming into his second season in the sport, the regulation shift presents a reset for Hadjar, having to readjust to the machinery underneath him.
Hadjar was asked whether the cars still feel like Formula 1 by Motorsport Week and other media outlets.
Asked at the Bahrain International Circuit if the new cars still feel like F1, Hadjar agreed that they did, but admitted he wished for more.
“Formula 1? Yes. For sure, I want to drive cars that can break lap records,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “You know, that’s what you dream of when you’re a kid. So, yeah, I’d like to drive faster cars.”
While urging that lap records likely won’t be broken this coming season, Hadjar looked to the more technical side of the sport, with the new regulations putting a focus on energy management, giving drivers more work behind the wheel.
2026 presents more ‘difficult’ driving
Hadjar explained it from a driver’s perspective. He told the media, “It requires using your brain a bit more, so it’s a bit more difficult for everyone.
“It’s less natural to drive, but there’s more of an opportunity to make a difference, that’s for sure.”
Although the overall speed may have reduced from last season to this season, Hadjar’s goals are set high following his promotion to the Red Bull team.
The young Frenchman is looking forward to competing at the front of the field and improving on his strong results last season.
His best result last season came from a surprise podium in Zandvoort. However, the Frenchman hopes to move up the steps of the podium in 2026 with more powerful machinery underneath him.
“I mean, for sure, the excitement of fighting for wins against top drivers is still going to be here, and that’s what matters the most,” added Hadjar.
“But still, you’d like to do it in cars that are super, super fast. It makes it a bit better normally.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen confirms he is ‘working on’ 2026 F1 side quest
Discussion about this post