Isack Hadjar picks up Max Verstappen’s high-rev energy trick during B… — and more

Red Bull Racing have emerged as an early frontrunner in the 2026 season, looking strong in the opening pre-season test in Bahrain.

For years, that’s meant teams have had to put their focus squarely on Max Verstappen, and it’s easy to see why. He’s picked up four of the last five drivers’ championships.

Sergio Perez struggled toward the end of his time at Red Bull, and Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda didn’t perform much better last season.

Now, Isack Hadjar has taken on the challenge of trying to match Verstappen after a strong first year with Racing Bulls.

But Red Bull are still holding out hope that joining at the start of a new regulation cycle might help him close that gap.

That optimism took a hit when team officials got a look at just how complex these cars have become under the new rules. The challenges around energy management and active aerodynamics are significant hurdles for drivers still getting used to this era’s machinery.

But according to journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm, who watched Hadjar closely during testing in Bahrain, he seems to be picking up on one particular skillset – energy management – that Verstappen already excels at.

Isack Hadjar Making Progress With Verstappen’s Red Bull Technique

Speaking on The Race’s Patreon, Mitchell-Malm noted: “Hadjar had a bit more movement in the car as well when I was watching at [turns] 10 and 11 with him in it.

“Although I will say, what was quite encouraging from a Hadjar perspective is he didn’t seem to be able to deal with the instability from that downshift and the lower gears and the high revs, as well as Verstappen at the start of the test.

“But, by the end, and you could see it progressing through stints as well, it felt like he was getting a reasonable handle on how to adjust to that.

“I was quite encouraged that Hadjar’s having a reasonably good integration into the Red Bull. So, that might bode quite well for them as well.”

Isack Hadjar’s testing schedule for final Bahrain test

Even though F1 has tripled the number of pre-season test days this year, teams are already feeling the pressure to get their cars ready for the Australian Grand Prix.

De Telegraaf has reported that Hadjar will drive the RB22 on Wednesday and Friday morning, while Verstappen will take over on Thursday and Friday afternoon.

This schedule gives Hadjar valuable time to refine the high-rev technique required for efficient battery harvesting each lap.

Hadjar has spoken highly of Verstappen since joining him at Red Bull and is already setting his sights on a maiden Grand Prix win in 2026.

Verstappen hasn’t lost to a teammate since Perez took victory at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. That stat highlights just how tough Hadjar’s task is, but his ambition is clear as he heads into his debut season with Red Bull.

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CAF Champions League: Here are the possible semi-final fixtures

CAF Champions League: Potential semi-final matchups revealed

The CAF Champions League quarter-final draw has also mapped out the full road to the semi-finals. CAF has unveiled the potential last-four clashes, promising explosive showdowns between several of the continent’s footballing giants.

Semi-finals on the horizon that promise an intense battle for a spot in the grand final.

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League has entered the knockout phase. These are two-legged ties in which the winners advance to the Round of 16 and the losers are eliminated.

With away goals no longer serving as a tiebreaker, aggregate score decides the outcome, with extra time and penalties if necessary.

As first legs, Matchday 9 fixtures carry added tactical weight.

Teams will prioritize strong results — ideally a win or a clean sheet — before the return leg.

Upsets remain possible in knockout football, which makes squad selection even more crucial for UCL Fantasy managers looking to gain an early edge.

Below are our top player picks for UCL Fantasy MD9.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope (£5.1m) vs Qarabag

With 40 UCL fantasy points so far, Pope remains a dependable option. Known for his positioning and reflexes, he consistently delivers in high-pressure European matches.

His save percentage and command of the box strengthen his appeal heading into this first leg.

Defenders

Alejandro Grimaldo vs Olympiacos Piraeus

Grimaldo has scored four goals and accumulated 40 fantasy points — outstanding production for a defender.

His attacking presence from the left flank, combined with strong crossing and creative passing, adds significant upside. He also carries set-piece and free-kick threat thanks to his precise left foot.

Federico Dimarco vs Bodo/Glimt

Dimarco operates as an aggressive outlet in Inter’s system, often functioning like a wide midfielder while maintaining defensive responsibilities. His pace, crossing, and goal contributions enhance his value for fantasy managers seeking attacking returns from defense.

Malick Thiaw vs Qarabag

With approximately 37 fantasy points this season, Thiaw offers physicality and aerial strength at center-back. His ability in defensive duels and set-piece situations increases both clean-sheet and bonus potential, while his composure supports build-up play from the back.

Marcos Llorente vs Club Brugge KV

Llorente demonstrated his fantasy upside with a double-goal performance that delivered double-digit points. Across six games, he has scored three goals and accumulated 27 fantasy points. His tendency to arrive late in the box or strike from distance gives him explosive matchday potential.

Midfielders

Anthony Gordon vs Qarabag

Gordon brings high attacking volume, regularly taking shots and creating danger from wide and central areas. He has been especially productive in Europe, registering 52 fantasy points, six goals, and two assists. His big-stage output makes him a standout midfield option.

Nicolò Barella vs Bodo/Glimt

While not a major goal or assist contributor in this campaign, Barella’s value lies in consistent minutes and involvement in buildup and transition phases. His passing and defensive contributions make him a reliable presence in Inter’s midfield engine room.

Robert Andrich vs Olympiacos

Andrich anchors midfield with defensive discipline and ball recovery. In the 2025/26 UCL campaign, he has maintained a passing accuracy of around 90.8%, ensuring steady distribution. His attacking output is limited, but he provides tactical stability and dependable minutes.

Forwards

Lautaro Martínez vs Bodo/Glimt

Lautaro remains Inter’s primary goal threat and a high-upside fantasy forward. His tenacity, clinical finishing, and leadership make him central to Inter’s attack, particularly in matches where he dominates chances.

Julián Álvarez vs Club Brugge KV

Álvarez has featured in every UCL match this season, logging strong minutes and averaging roughly half a goal contribution per game. His combined goals and assists profile makes him a dependable forward option rather than one reliant solely on scoring.

Patrik Schick vs Olympiacos Piraeus

Schick is known for his aerial presence, intelligent movement, and finishing ability. In this season’s Champions League campaign, he has recorded two goals and one assist, contributing as a forward option off the bench and offering scoring threat when called upon.

Nebraska baseball (3-1) concluded the MLB Desert Invitational against Stanford (2-2) on Monday afternoon. Despite winning big in two of its last three games, the Huskers fell to the Cardinal 11-6 for their first loss of the season.

Stanford set the tone on the second pitch of the game, nailing a triple at the start of a six-run opening inning. The Cardinal added to their lead in the third, tallying three more runs to pin Nebraska in a 9-0 hole. Though the Huskers responded by scoring six straight runs, Stanford put the game away in the eighth by going up 11-6.

The Cardinal tallied 14 hits for 10 RBIs on the afternoon, left 10 runners on base and put seven pitchers on the mound, who combined for eight strikeouts. The Huskers finished with 13 hits for five RBIs, leaving 13 runners on base.

Mac Moyer hit a perfect 4-for-4 on the day, earning two doubles and a walk. Cole Kitchens and Will Jesske each posted two RBIs for Nebraska in the third inning. Kitchens started with a two-RBI double, and Jesske delivered a two-run home run, their only hits of the game. Jett Buck, Joshua Overbeek and Dylan Carey all added two hits with Overbeek and Buck earning one double.

Colin Nowaczyk (0-1) suffered the loss at the mound, starting the game and surrendering six runs on five hits. Tucker Timmerman took over in the second and allowed three runs on four hits in 1.2 innings. Braxton Stewart closed out the third inning, facing three batters and walking two of them.

Auden Pankonin pitched 1.1 innings, earning one strikeout against two hits. Pryce Bender stood on the mound for 3.0 innings, throwing one strikeout and allowing one hit and one run.

Kevin Mannell and Caleb Clark pitched in the eighth. Mannell allowed two hits and a run. Clark threw one strikeout. Ryan Harrahill took over for the ninth inning, going three-up, three-down with one strikeout.

Nebraska returns to play on Friday for its second and final tournament of the regular season at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series. The Huskers begin the tournament on Friday afternoon against No. 15 Louisville. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT on FloCollege.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Rough first inning dooms Nebraska in 11-6 loss to Stanford