Hadjar’s Bad Luck Continues: Gearbox Failure Ends His Singapore Qualifying

Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar failed to set a single timed lap in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix because of a gearbox fault, and he ended the session in last place. The Frenchman will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid.

It has been a difficult run for Hadjar. He lost a potential podium in Malaysia because of a battery issue and retired from the Singapore sprint with a separate mechanical failure. After thanking his team over the radio for fixing the car before qualifying, his relief did not last long. He went off track and reported that the engine was off while crawling back around the circuit. He got going again, but the problems continued and he had to return to the garage.

Hadjar explained that he felt good in the first sector, but the gearbox broke at Turn 8. He said he knew the car was badly damaged and that his session was over, but he did not want to stop on track, so he brought it back to the garage. Pointing out that the team has had issues in every session except FP1, he said he was very frustrated and hates missing the adrenaline of qualifying. He added that he still intends to give everything in the race and fight for points.

His team mate Max Verstappen had the opposite day, taking the 50th pole position of his career in the same session. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies took responsibility, saying the team owes Hadjar an apology. He said Red Bull had not given Hadjar any chance to show his speed this weekend, with a power unit issue in the sprint in the morning and a gearbox problem in qualifying in the afternoon. Mekies called it especially frustrating at a track where qualifying position matters so much, and said the team will fight from the back of the grid on Sunday to bring Hadjar back into the points.