Disaster strikes after Isack Hadjar issues 'pretty easy' Red Bull verdict

Isack Hadjar's confident assessment of his transition to Red Bull was brutally undermined by a Miami Grand Prix weekend that ended with the Frenchman crashing out of the race after struggling for pace throughout.

Speaking ahead of the weekend at the Miami International Autodrome, Hadjar had insisted his step up from Racing Bulls was straightforward.

"Honestly, transitioning to Red Bull's been pretty easy," the one-time podium finisher told media, including RacingNews365.

"I didn't feel really like it was changing teams because of the environment I've been in the last five years, working with Red Bull people.

"I've had a few FP1 outings, so it's not like I rocked up to a new team with brand new procedures. It's the same steering wheel, for example, so it's not such a big switch, that's for sure."

In the opening three rounds, Hadjar twice out-qualified Max Verstappen, although the Dutchman was powerless to prevent his crash in Q1 at the Australian Grand Prix.

Crucially, he showed himself to be a closer — and better — match for the four-time F1 drivers' champion than those who came before him.

The 21-year-old added: "But it's been going well. I've been delivering the most I can with what I had underneath me. Unfortunately, we're not where we want to be, but I feel very comfortable delivering the best and I feel fine."

Yet Miami told a different story. Hadjar qualified roughly a second adrift of his team-mate over one lap, before crashing his RB22 out of the grand prix, capping a dismal weekend.

The retirement left Hadjar with just four points from the opening four rounds, which have included two sprint races, and the Floridian weekend was in stark contrast to his promising start alongside Verstappen.

Furthermore, the 71-time grand prix winner's Miami performance showed he was considerably more comfortable in the Red Bull following its comprehensive upgrades.

Verstappen unlocked significant pace from the RB22, allowing him to extract the maximum from both himself and the car, whilst Hadjar endured his most difficult weekend in Red Bull colours.