Isack Hadjar has explained how Red Bull may be placed at a “disadvantage” due to the unexpected Formula 1 calendar hiatus that commences after this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has been in indifferent form across the first two rounds of the championship, amid the sport’s beginning of its new regulations era.
Pre-season testing appeared to show an exceeding of expectations, after it had initially played down its chances of competitive results as the new ruleset approached last year.
Australia saw some positive signs, with Hadjar qualifying third, with teammate Max Verstappen finishing sixth, having started 20th after a crash in qualifying.
But Hadjar also suffered a mechanical DNF at Albert Park, and in Shanghai, the RB22 was off the pace, with Verstappen struggling with significant oversteer.
The new season has been one of twists and turns for the sport in general, with the negative kickback against the new cars – led by Verstappen – and further has come since.
With the Middle East crisis leading to Rounds 4 and 5 in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia canned, the next round after Suzuka will be in Miami, at the start of May.
This leaves a five-week gap for F1 to prepare further racing, and for some teams, it may be seen as a chance to get down to plenty of off-track work.
But for Hadjar, the more time on the track is what will help the Laurent Mekies-led outfit to rectify its anomalies and compete with the likes of McLaren and Ferrari.
“The more racing, the more we understand — and the closer we get to the best engines on the grid,” he said.
“So on that side, it is definitely a bit of a disadvantage for us, but it’s fine.”
Can Isack Hadjar’s attitude help Red Bull recover its problems?
Hadjar appeared to carry a glass-half-empty perception when it was countered to him that this extended break gives Red Bull an opportunity to concentrate of later-season upgrades.
“Yes, and fewer points lost to everyone else, for sure,” he responded.
Hadjar certainly seems to carry the talkative aura of a Red Bull driver that might be more successful than that of his predecessors in that much-maligned second seat with Verstappen.
His debut season saw the Frenchman convey a lot of tough love upon himself, and with that sort of attitude in his armoury, he and Verstappen will be spearheading a Red Bull revival.
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