Isack Hadjar remains determined to fight his way back to the podium at Sepang despite a five-place grid penalty dropping the Red Bull driver from third in qualifying to eighth for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The 22-year-old believes third place remains achievable, although he expects overtaking and extreme tyre temperatures to make his recovery particularly difficult.
Red Bull showed strong form throughout qualifying in Malaysia, with Max Verstappen taking the team’s first pole position of the season and Isack Hadjar initially securing third place. The possibility of both Red Bulls starting from the opening two rows disappeared, however, after Hadjar received his penalty for changing a power unit component.
Isack Hadjar drops from third to eighth on Sepang grid
Isack Hadjar will therefore start the race from eighth rather than third, leaving him with a much more complicated task on Sunday.
Even so, the Frenchman remains encouraged by the competitiveness Red Bull has shown throughout the weekend and by the confidence the car is giving him.
“Without a doubt, it is easier now to fight for the top positions like we are doing,” Isack Hadjar told Sky Sport F1. “It is more satisfying; you go out on track and you know the car responds.”
“I’m happy, but at the same time I would have liked to be second in terms of the result. It would have helped us start a little further forward tomorrow, whereas starting from eighth will be very difficult.”
Isack Hadjar still targets third place despite penalty
Despite acknowledging how difficult it will be to climb through the field at Sepang, Isack Hadjar remains highly optimistic about what Red Bull can achieve in the race.
“My ambition for tomorrow is third place.”
The challenge will be substantial, particularly on a circuit where passing has already proved difficult and where tyre temperatures are expected to play a major role.
“I will have to overtake both Mercedes, both Ferraris, as well as Leclerc. It will be extremely difficult because it is difficult to overtake here, also because the tyre temperatures are crazy and they go through the roof.”
“The only way will be strategy.”
Red Bull strategy could decide Hadjar’s recovery
Hadjar’s comments underline the importance of race strategy if he is to turn his eighth-place starting position into a podium challenge. With overtaking difficult and tyre management expected to be demanding, Red Bull may need to create opportunities through pit-stop timing rather than relying solely on passes on track.
The team nevertheless heads into the race with strong qualifying pace behind Max Verstappen’s pole position, giving Isack Hadjar confidence that the car has the performance required to move forward if the strategy works in his favour.
The latest championship picture can be followed in the Formula 1 driver standings, while the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang schedule includes the race start time and full weekend details.
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