Isack Hadjar reveals target against 'just too fast' F1 rival

Isack Hadjar has revealed that his target for the Australian Grand Prix is to convert third on the grid into a podium, with Mercedes being "just too fast" to challenge for victory.

The Frenchman was Red Bull's sole driver fighting for pole after Max Verstappen suffered a shock crash in the opening minutes of qualifying.

Hadjar delivered a strong final lap to qualify at the front of the second row, although he still found himself almost eight tenths adrift of George Russell.

It was better than Hadjar was expecting, having struggled in the build-up to qualifying at Albert Park, and he had anticipated being behind Ferrari and McLaren as well.

"Yeah, it was a very smooth qualifying," said Hadjar. "The run-up to qualifying, the whole weekend, was a bit difficult.

"We're not really in a position to fight for the top three. I felt like the Ferrari, the McLaren, were a bit clear of me, but we kind of built up to it the whole qualifying session, and that was a very good last lap."

With Verstappen starting at the back, Red Bull will be looking to Hadjar to score big points for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Hadjar is hopeful of a second career podium after finishing third in Zandvoort last year; however, he views anything better than third as unrealistic given Mercedes' immense pace and its drivers starting on the front row.

Asked if he can stop Mercedes in the race, Hadjar replied: "The only thing I can do is make a better start. They're just too fast at the moment, so I want to keep my position. A second podium would be good."