Isack Hadjar says there was only one ‘positive point’ to take from the Australian Grand Prix

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Isack Hadjar cut a frustrated figure after a dismal start to the Australian Grand Prix saw him retire due to an engine failure.

Red Bull’s woes when it comes to their second driver continued at the Australian Grand Prix, as Isack Hadjar was forced into an early end to the race.

Hadjar had managed to get himself P3 in qualification, and after Max Verstappen’s disastrous crash, the Frenchman was considered Red Bull’s main hope for points.

P3 in qualifying for Isack Hadjar on his Red Bull debut!

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Within the first few laps of the race, Hadjar’s engine began to heat up, causing him to walk back to the Red Bull garage quicker than he had hoped.

And while Max Verstappen’s Spa-esque heroics got Red Bull some much-needed points, Hadjar’s frustration with the team and the car was evident after the race.

READ MORE: Guenther Steiner thinks Red Bull management changes will help Isack Hadjar end the second seat curse

Isack Hadjar ‘knew’ instantly that his engine was going to blow up despite ‘super start’

Isack Hadjar spoke after his frustrating start to the 2026 F1 season. When discussing his end to the race, Hadjar didn’t hold back, admitting that he knew almost instantly that the engine was about to combust.

While Hadjar did acknowledge how well he started the race, the battery was almost instantly depleted, which led to the engine issue he faced.

“I knew the engine was going to blow up after Turn 1, like the sound, it totally changed after the start. The only positive point: I take a super start, and then I have no more battery.”

“I felt like I was driving a V8 supercar. The sound, it was ridiculous, and I knew it was going to blow at some point.”

Hadjar’s frustration is understandable, given that, unlike more recent drivers for Red Bull, his shortcoming was due to the car, and not a mistake he made.

READ MORE: Five things we learned from the Australian Grand Prix as Mercedes dominate and Oscar Piastri crashes

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Red Bull must ensure engine issues do not derail return to constructors’ contention

The engine issues for Hadjar ended up costing Red Bull a chance for both their drivers to score points. Given the standings, they could have found themselves third in the race behind Mercedes and McLaren.

Hadjar’s impressive run in qualifying yesterday showed that he has what it takes to compete at a high level for Red Bull, even if he isn’t a title contender like Max Verstappen.

So, for his race to get cut short due to an engine issue is massively frustrating. It is up to Red Bull to now look at the data and understand what the issue was to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Hadjar and Red Bull will understand the importance of adapting quickly, especially given the new regulations and how wide open the field is for them to make a big impact.