Hadjar slams Red Bull after disappointing Hungarian qualifying

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull’s 2024 rookie, labelled his qualifying performance in Budapest as "very disappointing" and openly blamed the RB22’s handling, marking the first public criticism of the works team this season.

What happened in Hungary

During Saturday’s qualifying session at the Hungaroring, Hadjar managed only eighth on the grid, far below the expectations set for a Red Bull‑powered car. In post‑session comments he said the car was "very hard to drive" and that the package felt "tricky" compared with the previous year’s model Source 2. Max Verstappen, the team’s lead driver, also struggled, ending up outside the top five and prompting a tactical shift in his approach to the race Source 4. The combination of both drivers missing the podium in qualifying was described by GrandPrix247 as a "bad day for Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar as Red Bulls flop badly in Hungary Qualifying" Source 3.

Core developments across the weekend

Hadjar’s frustration was not limited to qualifying. Earlier in the weekend, after a first‑practice session that saw him breach track‑limit regulations, the rookie was handed a fine by the stewards Source 6. The exact amount was not disclosed, but the penalty underscored the pressure he felt to extract performance from a car that he described as "very hard to drive". In addition, the team’s engineers admitted that the RB22’s aero package had become "tricky" on the Hungaroring’s medium‑speed corners, leading Verstappen to adopt a more conservative qualifying strategy to avoid losing time on a car that was difficult to balance Source 4.

Why it matters

The Hungarian GP is traditionally a turning point in the Formula 1 calendar, where teams with strong mid‑range pace can close the gap to early‑season leaders. Red Bull’s inability to deliver a qualifying‑ready car threatens its dominant position in the constructors’ championship. For Hadjar, the rookie’s public criticism could signal a deeper rift between driver and engineering staff, a rarity in a team that usually maintains strict internal discipline. Moreover, the RB22’s handling issues raise questions about the direction of Red Bull’s 2024 development path, especially as rival manufacturers such as Mercedes and Ferrari have shown more consistent performance on similar circuits.

Diverging viewpoints

Hadjar’s comments were unequivocal: he called the qualifying result "very disappointing" and warned that the car’s current state was "very hard to drive" Source 1. By contrast, Red Bull’s technical directors, speaking on the team’s official channel, emphasized that the RB22 was a "new evolutionary step" and that data collected in Hungary would be used to refine the aero balance for the next race Source 4. Verstappen, while not directly addressing the car’s shortcomings, hinted that the team would need to "make the car more predictable" to allow him to push harder in qualifying Source 4. Independent analysts, cited in the GrandPrix247 report, argued that the team’s tactical decision‑making during the session indicated a pragmatic acceptance of the car’s limitations rather than a sudden loss of confidence Source 3.

What’s next for Red Bull and Hadjar

Red Bull will head to the next round in Belgium with a revised aerodynamic package, according to the team’s technical brief released after Hungary. The engineers plan to adjust the front wing endplates and rear diffuser to improve stability through the Hungaroring’s sweeping corners, changes that are expected to be homologated before the Spa‑Francorchamps sprint. Hadjar, meanwhile, has pledged to work closely with the data‑analysis crew to better understand the car’s limits, noting that his focus remains on delivering points for the team despite the recent fine Source 6. If the RB22’s handling improves, both drivers could return to the front row, preserving Red Bull’s lead in the championship; if not, the team may face its first serious challenge from rivals in a season that has so far been dominated by its own pace.