Hadjar: “Shame about crash, hoping for strong 2026 start”

Eager to impress, the Frenchman dominated Monday, completing 107 laps and gathering crucial data. However, his momentum halted Tuesday when he crashed into the barriers at the final corner under rainy conditions, forcing a delay until Friday.

Despite this setback, Hadjar remains optimistic about the RB22. “Monday was surprisingly productive for our first day with the new power unit,” he noted. “Unfortunately, on Tuesday, I lost control switching to intermediates. The consequences were not ideal.”

He highlighted the car's consistency. “These cars feel more predictable and linear than the previous generation, offering more power unit options for the driver,” Hadjar explained. Feeling well-prepared, he concluded: “I have started understanding the car, though there is tuning left. I really hope to start the year significantly, but I am still learning every day.”