Hadjar hails Monaco qualifying comeback after Friday crash

Isack Hadjar recovered from a heavy Friday crash to qualify fifth for the Monaco Grand Prix, though the Red Bull rookie believes a messy session cost him an even better result. Despite missing valuable track time, the Frenchman ended qualifying just three spots behind teammate Max Verstappen at one of Formula 1's most demanding circuits.

Why it matters:

Monaco is notoriously brutal on drivers who lose track time, yet Hadjar's rapid recovery under pressure signals both raw pace and mental resilience. Securing fifth on a circuit where overtaking is nearly impossible provides a strong platform for Sunday, while his self-critical reaction suggests the underlying speed could have placed him closer to the front row.

The details:

• Hadjar missed more than half of Friday practice after a heavy crash demanded extensive repairs, leaving him with limited running before qualifying.
• He admitted his confidence needed rebuilding in FP3, calling Friday a "horrific day" before gradually finding his rhythm.
• Early struggles: Traffic and tyre preparation issues put him on the back foot in Q1, leaving him roughly a second off Verstappen's initial pace.
• Q3 complications: Strong Q2 pace placed him among the frontrunners, but a slower first run in Q3 provided a poor final reference.
• Hadjar reckoned he was five tenths adrift of the leaders heading into the final laps, making a big jump difficult without enough consistent running on the repaired car.

What's next:

With overtaking chances at the Principality historically scarce, Sunday's race will likely be decided at the start or through strategy. Hadjar is optimistic that differences in start performance seen throughout the 2026 season could open opportunities into Turn 1, giving him a realistic shot at moving forward. After salvaging his weekend against the odds, the rookie now carries momentum into Formula 1's most prestigious race.