Laurent Mekies Praises Isack Hadjar’s Performance at 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix
Red Bull team principal highlights Hadjar's impressive pace and racecraft during challenging Brazilian conditions.
1Breakthrough Performance in Brazil
At the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar delivered a standout performance that team principal Laurent Mekies labeled his best race yet. Starting from fifth position, the young Frenchman navigated treacherous, changing weather conditions to secure a third-place finish, marking his third podium appearance of the current Formula 1 season.
2Validation of 2027 Strategy
Hadjar’s impressive drive at Interlagos provides further justification for Red Bull’s decision to confirm him for the 2027 season. Mekies noted that the driver has consistently raised his performance bar throughout the year, fulfilling the team's expectations for his development trajectory since they secured his future with the Milton Keynes squad.
3Pace Matching Elite Standards
Throughout the race, Hadjar demonstrated remarkable speed, often matching or exceeding the pace of teammate Max Verstappen while utilizing the same tyre strategy. This ability to run at the very front of the grid in difficult conditions highlights his growing maturity and readiness to challenge for outright race wins in future.
4Team Orders and Strategy
On lap 38, Hadjar was instructed to yield his second-place position to Verstappen, who was charging through the field. While Hadjar questioned if the positions would be swapped back, Mekies confirmed that a reversal was initially planned, provided the two drivers remained in close proximity during the remainder of the race.
5Weather Impacts Race Tactics
The potential for a swap-back was ultimately abandoned due to the evolving weather conditions at Interlagos. As rain intensity increased toward the end of the event, the gap between the drivers widened significantly, making a position reversal tactically illogical and unnecessary for the team's overall success in the challenging Brazilian environment.
6Cooperation Over Competition
Despite the lack of a reverse swap, Mekies praised the collaborative spirit shown by both drivers during the chaotic weekend. He emphasized that Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar worked effectively together to maximize the team's results, ensuring they secured a double podium finish despite the unpredictable nature of the circuit.
7Technical Insight and Development
Mekies highlighted that the team specifically monitors pure pace in both dry and intermediate conditions when evaluating driver progress. Hadjar’s clever racecraft during the São Paulo event proved he possesses the technical acumen required to manage varying grip levels, a critical skill for any driver aiming to compete at the top.
8Future Outlook for Red Bull
With only three rounds remaining in the 2026 season, Hadjar’s performance signals a positive trajectory for Red Bull Racing. By fostering an environment that encourages continuous improvement, the team aims to utilize Hadjar's raw speed and growing confidence to maintain their competitive edge in the upcoming 2027 Formula 1 championship campaign.