French Formula 1 rookie Isack Hadjar expressed optimism after completing his first day in an upgraded Red Bull RB‑19 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice sessions. According to Formula1.com, the 20‑year‑old said the car felt “better than when I left it,” indicating that the mid‑season development package has delivered tangible gains.
Hadjar, who joined Red Bull Racing as a reserve driver in 2024 and has been running a limited number of test days, spent the morning on the Baku street circuit evaluating a revised aerodynamic package and a revised power‑unit map. The team’s engineers focused on improving rear‑wing efficiency and reducing tyre degradation – two key challenges on the high‑speed, low‑downforce layout of the Baku City Circuit. While exact lap times were not disclosed, the driver’s comments suggest a noticeable step up in stability through the long straight and better balance through the tight Turn 1‑2 complex.
Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre‑Willy Rüegg, has previously hinted that the team would bring a “significant upgrade” to the second half of the 2024 season to close the performance gap with rivals Mercedes and Ferrari. Hadjar’s feedback aligns with those internal expectations, and the team is likely to continue refining the package before the next official testing window in Singapore. The upgrade could also benefit the team's junior drivers, who will be sharing the same chassis in upcoming free‑practice sessions.
For Indian fans: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend runs from 1 – 3 October, with the race slated for 19:00 IST on Sunday. Indian viewers can watch live on FanCode, which provides a dedicated F1 feed with Hindi commentary. Hadjar’s upbeat remarks add another storyline to follow, especially as Red Bull looks to consolidate its championship lead while nurturing young talent for future seasons.
Source: Formula1.com
