Despite an upgrade, Isack Hadjar feels Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s woes could be set to continue at the 2026 Miami GP as the French-Algerian drivers writes off his prospect of beating the likes of McLaren and Ferrari to the podium.
A difficult start to the new Formula 1 regulations for Red Bull, with the team struggling for performance – largely down to an overweight car that is affecting balance, set-up windows and overall speed through corners.
Whilst their power unit seems to be of little concern, according to projections for the FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities initiative, the other issues leaves Milton Keynes’ two drivers stuck in the midfield.
The highly experienced four-time world champion Verstappen was unable to pass an Alpine during the Japanese GP in March, despite chasing Pierre Gasly for the vast majority of the race, highlighting the problems faced.
But a month off, as a result of the Bahrain GP and Saudi Arabian GP being cancelled, offers the engineers and aerodynamicists a chance to regroup, reassess and prepare counter measures aimed at returning to the sharper end of the field.
And they will now arrive in the United States with some tweaks to the RB22 following a filming day at Silverstone, allowing them 200 kilometres to understand whether their changes have improved the car.
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Red Bull will bring a new front-wing and rear-wing as well as adjustments to the exhaust and other weight-reducing parts, but despite this, Hadjar thinks the woes are set to continue at the Miami GP as he writes off his prospect of landing a podium on Sunday, May 3.
“I don’t expect to be fighting for a podium this weekend,” Hadjar told media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “We are not the only ta bringing upgrades.
“We think we will be stronger but we do not think it will solve all our problems.”
Riccardo Patrese: Miami GP could decide Verstappen’s Red Bull future
The Miami GP upgrades could be a test of Verstappen’s faith in his team, as the 28-year-old continues to become disgruntled with the new era or regulations as his frustration grows at the equal split between the electrical battery and the internal combustion engine.
Issues such as super clipping and difficulties at the race starts, as well as the software systems instructing drivers how to drive their cars as opposed to their own natural instincts and feel for the limits, have only worsened his mood.
Adding to that is Red Bull being off-the-pace, but that can happen and it is forgivable as long as the team fixes their gremlins in the shorter term, not the longer term.
So the Miami GP upgrades could be key to Verstappen figuring out if his future is with his current team, elsewhere or even in F1 at all. That is the view of Riccardo Patrese, who raced in F1 from 1977-1993.
“He is not feeling very happy. So, at the end of this season he will probably make his move,” Patrese told BettingLounge, of Verstappen. “Max, first of all, has to enjoy driving these cars.
“But it is obvious he doesn’t like it at all. He’s a strong enough person that you believe him when he says, ‘If I don’t have enjoyment, I’ll leave a Formula 1.’
“He has already got satisfaction and achieved so much in the sport. He has proved that he’s the best, so on. If F1 changes and he has a good feeling again then he will go on.
“Otherwise, he may well change category. He really likes GT races. But at the end of it all, I think he is just talking. But he does need a winning car, that’s for sure. He is fed up, that is for sure.”
