Hadjar wants a redesigned clutch and Verstappen questions strategy as Red Bull leaves Austin frustrated
Isack Hadjar called Red Bull's clutch too fragile in the heat after losing places at the start, and Max Verstappen said his two-stop plan was not agreed. Team principal Laurent Mekies said a bigger fix is a 2027 project.
Two drivers, two complaints
Red Bull left Austin with a podium and a lot of unhappy drivers. Max Verstappen finished third and Isack Hadjar sixth, but both were openly critical afterwards.
Hadjar started third, equalling his best grid position in Formula 1, and was passed by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. RacingNews365 reports he was fifth at the end of lap one. He blamed the clutch: it \"needs a redesign\", he said, calling it too fragile and not coping with temperatures. Asked whether Red Bull had explained the problem, he said no.
Verstappen's strategy doubts
Verstappen pitted on lap 14 for soft tyres and rejoined eighth, which committed him to a two-stop race. The Race reports that he was annoyed at the call and, asked whether the plan had been agreed, said it was not. Antonelli won on a one-stop.
Laurent Mekies said he was not sure what Verstappen meant, but noted that running softs was unusual and not the baseline option. He said Red Bull normally has an advantage on softer compounds but could not use it, and that Antonelli's pace might have won anyway.
Radio and starts
Both drivers also complained about radio communication. Hadjar said he had a poor radio and did not know what was happening. Mekies said the team does not fully understand the cause, will prioritise a fix, but expects no quick cure.
On the start problem, Mekies said the bigger solution is a 2027 project because starts depend on the engine, gearbox and clutch together. He said Red Bull will not be the benchmark before the end of 2026.
By the numbers
Our race data shows Verstappen on two wins this season, against nine for Antonelli. The next test for Red Bull is the Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November.
