From Quiet Arrival to F1 Spotlight
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where every second counts, Isack Hadjar has made a name for himself with a quiet determination that belies his rookie status. The 20-year-old French-Algerian driver joined the Racing Bulls team in 2025 as one of six new faces on the grid, having finished runner-up in the previous year's F2 standings. Despite not clinching a junior championship, Hadjar's focus on impressing the right people paid off, earning him a coveted seat in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Hadjar's approach to his career is straightforward, as he noted, 'For a young driver, the most important thing is to impress. You can win a title, but if you don't impress people, you'll hardly achieve your goal.' This mindset has guided him through early challenges, including a standout performance at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2021, where he secured a surprise victory in the Formula Regional support race after claiming pole position. His journey from that small rented apartment in Monaco to the F1 grid showcases a resilience that continues to define his career.
Race Weekend Highs and Lows
Hadjar's 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions and results, reflecting both his raw talent and areas for growth. At Imola, he finished ninth, securing two crucial points for Racing Bulls, though he expressed frustration over specific elements of his race. 'The rest was perfect,' Hadjar remarked, pinpointing the need to refine certain aspects of his performance to maintain consistency at this elite level.
His qualifying sessions have also drawn attention, particularly at Suzuka during the Japanese Grand Prix, where cockpit issues left him in pain but didn't deter his resolve. Despite scraping into Q2, Hadjar delivered a stunning lap to secure seventh on the grid, matching his earlier performance in China. However, not all weekends have been smooth; posts on X highlight an early incident during a formation lap crash after leading the rookie class in qualifying, underscoring the unforgiving nature of F1.
More recently, at the Monaco Grand Prix, Hadjar achieved a career-best sixth-place finish, demonstrating mature driving and smart strategy. Yet, the weekend wasn't without controversy, as he found himself in a heated exchange with a fan post-race. Sky Sports F1 presenter Simon Lazenby praised Hadjar's assertiveness, calling him 'my winner of the week' for handling the situation with confidence and tipping him as a contender for rookie of the season.
Building a Legacy Under Pressure
As Hadjar navigates the grueling F1 schedule, his mental and physical growth since joining Red Bull's junior program is evident. Reflecting on past disappointments, he admitted that missing out on titles hurt, but moments of doubt—thinking he'd never make it to F1—were even more painful. 'I've had worse moments where I thought: OK, I'm not making it to Formula 1. This is big, this is like really bad,' he shared, highlighting the emotional toll of his journey.
His limited preparation before testing with Red Bull also speaks volumes about his adaptability. Laurent Mekies revealed that Hadjar had just one day of dry weather testing in an F1 car prior to his debut test in Bahrain, a fact that stunned many given his subsequent performances. As Hadjar continues to balance the pressure to perform with personal growth, his story resonates as one of perseverance, with each Grand Prix weekend offering new lessons and opportunities to solidify his place among racing's elite.