Isack Hadjar: Barcelona Shakedown & Red Bull Engine Performance

Isack Hadjar completed his first full day of running as a Red Bull Racing driver at the Barcelona Shakedown on Monday, describing the session as “pretty productive.” The young driver focused on familiarizing himself with the RB22 chassis, Red Bull’s new power unit, and a range of new driver modes.

First Impressions of Red Bull’s New Engine

Hadjar accumulated a significant number of laps throughout the day, progressing from shorter runs to more extended periods on track. He reported only “minor issues,” a positive sign considering it was the first day of testing with the team’s own engine. He characterized the overall experience as “definitely smooth.”

Power Unit Feel and 2026 Car Differences

The Frenchman noted that the new Red Bull power unit felt “pretty decent” for a first outing, not significantly different from what he experienced in his first season. He also commented on the differences between the current generation of Formula 1 cars and those slated for the 2026 season, highlighting a reduction in overall load and increased predictability.

Did You Know? The 2026 Formula 1 cars will feature new driver modes, including ‘Active Aero’, ‘Overtake Mode’, a ‘Boost’ button, and a ‘Recharge’ setting.

Hadjar also emphasized the increased options available to drivers for managing the new power unit, stating he had already begun exploring these settings during the shakedown. He found the new cars “more simple” and “easier to play around with” compared to previous generations.

Expert Insight: The positive initial feedback from Hadjar regarding the new Red Bull power unit and the 2026 car’s handling characteristics suggests a potentially smooth transition for the team as they develop and refine their future Formula 1 program. Early positive impressions are crucial for building driver confidence and maximizing development potential.

Max Verstappen is scheduled to take over driving duties on Tuesday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as Red Bull continues its shakedown program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Isack Hadjar’s overall impression of the day?

Hadjar described his first full day as a Red Bull Racing driver as “pretty productive,” noting that they completed more laps than expected and experienced only minor issues.

What specifically did Hadjar say about the new Red Bull power unit?

Hadjar stated that the new power unit felt “pretty decent” for a first day and wasn’t too different from what he was used to, though there were still areas for refinement.

How did Hadjar describe the difference between the 2026 cars and previous generations?

Hadjar commented that the 2026 cars have “a lot less load in general” and are “a bit more predictable” and “more simple” to drive.

What impact might these early shakedown results have on Red Bull Racing’s development plans for the upcoming season?