Isack Hadjar has expressed his relief and satisfaction after securing a remarkable podium finish at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, despite battling significant problems throughout the weekend and during the race itself.
The young French driver claimed third place for Red Bull, earning the first Formula 1 podium of his career since being promoted to the senior team. However, the result was far from straightforward, as Hadjar faced challenges from the very beginning of the Monaco weekend.
His troubles started on Friday when an early crash disrupted his preparations around the demanding streets of Monte Carlo. The setback prevented him from building the confidence that drivers typically need at one of Formula 1’s most difficult circuits.
Reflecting on his weekend, Hadjar admitted the podium felt especially rewarding because of the adversity he had to overcome.
According to the Frenchman, Monaco is a circuit where confidence develops gradually with every lap completed. Missing valuable track time and struggling with the car’s behaviour left him frustrated and uncertain about his prospects.
Hadjar revealed that he lacked confidence after the second practice session because he could not establish a strong connection with the car. The handling issues made it difficult for him to push to the limit, which is essential around Monaco’s narrow and unforgiving layout.
Fortunately, improvements made before the final practice session helped him regain competitiveness. As his confidence returned, so did his pace, allowing him to qualify strongly and place himself in contention for a good result.
The race itself, however, presented another major obstacle.
Hadjar disclosed that he began experiencing serious driveability problems early in the Grand Prix, with the issue emerging around lap 12. The malfunction significantly affected the car’s performance and made controlling it extremely difficult.
The problem was particularly damaging because it affected the lower gears, which are crucial around Monaco’s tight corners and slow-speed sections. With first and second gear heavily involved in navigating the circuit, Hadjar found himself constantly fighting the car.
He explained that the issue made the machine feel almost undriveable at times, forcing him to adapt his driving style while trying to maintain his position against rivals.
As the race progressed, Hadjar feared the difficulties would eventually push him out of the points altogether. Despite those concerns, he managed to stay composed, limit mistakes, and remain competitive throughout the event.
After crossing the finish line in third place, his celebrations were temporarily put on hold when race stewards launched an investigation into a potential safety car infringement. The inquiry created uncertainty over whether he would be allowed to keep his podium finish.
Fortunately for Hadjar and Red Bull, the stewards concluded that no rules had been broken and cleared him of any wrongdoing. The decision officially confirmed his third-place result and allowed him to celebrate a well-earned achievement.
Considering the combination of an interrupted practice programme, confidence issues, technical problems during the race, and a post-race investigation, Hadjar’s podium stands as one of the most hard-fought results of his Formula 1 career and a significant milestone in his development as a Red Bull driver.
