F1 China Sprint: Isack Hadjar fumes as Kimi Antonelli “ruins” his race in first-lap clash. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar expresses frustration after being hit by Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Red Bull’s Hadjar upset with Mercedes driver

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar was visibly frustrated after being involved in a collision with Andrea Kimi Antonelli during the Chinese GP Sprint, leaving him unhappy with the Mercedes driver’s actions.

Antonelli collides with Hadjar

Andrea Kimi Antonelli had another poor start in the Chinese Sprint – here is his explanation – and in the hectic opening laps, he collided with Isack Hadjar, causing significant damage to the Frenchman’s RB22.

Antonelli received a 10-second penalty, which was effectively served by pitting under the Safety Car following Nico Hulkenberg’s technical retirement with the Audi.

Isack Hadjar speaks out

Isack Hadjar did not hide his frustration after the race, speaking to Canal+: “Antonelli ruined my race, I don’t know why he’s so overexcited, he has a car that’s a rocket.” The Red Bull driver had started on soft tires and finished the Sprint in 15th position.

Isack Hadjar’s “missile” comment underscores a growing sentiment in the 2026 paddock: the Mercedes W17 is currently the class of the field, and its drivers often have the luxury of raw pace to recover from mistakes. For Isack Hadjar, the frustration is compounded by Red Bull’s current struggle to match the hybrid efficiency of the frontrunners, making every lost position even more painful to recover. As the rookie rivalry between Antonelli and Hadjar intensifies, the FIA stewards will likely be keeping a closer watch on their future interactions. Tomorrow’s main Grand Prix offers a chance at redemption for both, but the mechanical scars on Hadjar’s RB22 shows that in the 2026 era, even a minor miscalculation can have massive championship implications.