Team officials noted that while single-lap qualifying pace still trails competitors like Mercedes, the long-run race configuration marks a definitive step forward.
"You can definitely feel it in the race pace," said Hadjar.
Team principal Laurent Mekies indicated that trackside engineers will continue to refine the vehicle setups to unlock further development potential.
"I think we had the second fastest car.
Normally we struggle more in the race than in qualifying, but this weekend it was about the same.
That is very positive," Hadjar noted.
The driver minimized the impact of a close wheel-to-wheel encounter with Lewis Hamilton in the early stages of the event.
"Not really, it was just fun," he laughed.
Hadjar expressed confidence that the updated package would remain highly competitive at the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
"I don't think I learned anything specific.
Maybe I was a bit too nice to Lewis in turn four, but at that moment I think I did pretty well," he said.
Hadjar currently holds the eighth position in the global drivers' championship standings with a total of 42 points.
"I think today we had the second best car on the grid," he judged.
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He anticipated that cooler ambient temperatures at the next European rounds would play to the strengths of the RB22 package.
"We were faster than the McLarens and the Ferraris.
I think Mercedes is still a bit better, and with Max in the car, victory is within reach, so I'm satisfied.
