Jolyon Palmer is ‘slightly concerned’ about Isack Hadjar at Red Bull after F1 testing

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Jolyon Palmer is hopeful that Isack Hadjar can overcome his Bahrain test woes at the opening round in Melbourne.

There are concerns in the Formula 1 paddock that Isack Hadjar may suffer the curse of the second Red Bull driver after the Bahrain tests.

Hadjar has been promoted to the Red Bull Racing squad for his second season in Formula 1 and had his first experience as Max Verstappen’s teammate across the six days at Bahrain.

Even though Verstappen was able to complete 401 laps across the six days at the Bahrain International Circuit, Hadjar’s running was limited.

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Jolyon Palmer hopes Hadjar can ‘bail himself out in Melbourne’

When discussing Red Bull with F1 after the final day of testing, Jolyon Palmer admitted that he is now ‘slightly concerned’ for Hadjar after the Bahrain Tests due to his lack of mileage with the latest car ahead of the opening round.

The French driver was only able to complete 66 laps across his final day at the Bahrain Test and 265 laps in total throughout the two weeks of testing.

Palmer said, “I’m slightly concerned for Isack, because Max looked solid, Max got the lion’s share of the mileage, both absolutely true.

“We have seen this story quite a few times with the Red Bull second seat, the second driver unfortunately does not get the rub of the green.

“He did not have a great day in the car, I think 66 laps was his total mileage yesterday on his final full day, he had a problem last week that cost him miles.

“He needs more to get on to terms with Max. We know how good Max is; we think this will suit his driving style more as well. Hopefully, Isack has the talent to bail himself out in Melbourne, and he proved last year Melbourne does not set the tone for the whole year.

“It feels like he has had a slightly rougher run of it.”

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Palmer believes ‘this is why all the cars go towards Max’

Due to his lack of mileage in testing, Palmer now believes that Red Bull will favour Verstappen’s feedback compared to Hadjar’s.

Historically, Red Bull has listened to Verstappen over his teammates, which has caused struggles for the second Red Bull driver in the past.

Palmer said, “Isack has a great mentality, quite a feisty one, he is capable of knuckling down and ignoring the noise. Naturally, if you are Red Bull, you are going to take a steer from Max’s feedback, you would anyway he is a four-time World Champion, maybe the greatest ever.

“This is why all the cars go towards Max; he is the one that looks faster. Isack has not done the mileage either, so he’s got to take a steer from Max.

“Hopefully, he will be able to drive whatever Red Bull gives him. This is why you get in the situation where Red Bull goes towards Max’s car because he looks stronger, and he has done more laps here.”