Austin 2026: Hadjar pushes Red Bull clutch rethink

Red Bull left Austin with fresh concerns as reports linked Max Verstappen’s weekend issues to radio and track bumps, while Isack Hadjar targeted the clutch.

Red Bull’s United States Grand Prix weekend ended with problems on both sides of the garage. Formula1.com reported that Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar were left frustrated by issues that held them back in Austin, while Motorsport.com reported Verstappen finished third and described repeated radio trouble after the race. Verstappen arrived at the round fourth in the 2026 drivers’ championship on 236 points, with 71 wins and 51 poles from 242 starts.

Hadjar’s start was a separate concern. Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported that he blamed Red Bull’s clutch after a poor launch, with Motorsport.com saying he called for a redesign after starting third on the grid. Hadjar was eighth in the standings on 105 points heading into Austin, and his Formula 1 record stood at 33 starts with one podium and a best finish of third.

Away from the launch issue, Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that Verstappen also raised concerns about the bumps at Circuit of the Americas and continued discussions with FIA representatives after the drivers’ briefing. That left Red Bull, the six-time constructors’ champion, with several technical points to address after the Austin weekend.