Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher expressed his distaste for Isack Hadjar’s frustration on the radio during the United States Grand Prix.
Hadjar started the race on the second row, with the Red Bull driver primed for a strong result. However, as the race began, Hadjar’s race was far from smooth, with issues being reported from the cockpit.
One of the biggest issues plaguing the Red Bull driver, and indeed his teammate Max Verstappen, was the team’s starts.
The 2026 season has seen both drivers consistently lose places at the start, with the Red Bull driver lamenting that the issues are ‘out of [his] control’. He went on to say the clutch needs a redesign as it’s too ‘fragile’.
His issues were compounded as he suffered mapping issues during the pit stop that further cost him time in the race, with Hadjar crossing the line in sixth.
Throughout the race, he vented his annoyance on the radio, and after the race he continued to air his frustrations, telling the media he was “pissed off” and wanted a fix to the car.
A need for Helmut Marko
However, Ralf Schumacher wasn’t as sympathetic to the Frenchman’s cause, telling the media that his outburst would’ve earned him a lecture from Helmut Marko.
For years, Marko served as an advisor at Red Bull; he largely managed the junior drivers, finding and mentoring future champions like Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen. 2026 represents Hadjar’s first year in Red Bull and first year without Marko.
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a lack of decency, but it is not behaviour that you should display in this way,” Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.
“Actually, it is a shame that Dr Helmut Marko is no longer at the team, because I think he would absolutely have drawn a line there. I don’t think this should happen.”
Hadjar is still young, in just his second F1 season and 22 years old. Schumacher believes that as he develops in the sport, he needs to adjust his attitude and consider the consequences of his words.
“One thing certainly doesn’t help: the way Hadjar treats the team.”
“I am very clear about that. He said. “He really needs to leave that behaviour behind. And he now bears too much responsibility for the team, the brand, and himself to continue expressing himself in that way.”
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