The Monumental Rise of Isack Hadjar

By Callum Griffies

Isack Hadjar achieved his first podium result at the Dutch Grand Prix fifteen races into his first Formula One season. The rookie surprised everyone in qualifying at Zandvoort after finishing P4, which was his career-best grid position. He didn’t waste his starting position on the Sunday, as he secured his first ever podium finish and became the second rookie to finish on the podium this year after Kimi Antonelli in Canada. 

The pivotal moment in the grand prix occurred when the rookie driver moved up to third place after championship contender Lando Norris was forced to retire due to an oil leak.

Hadjar just missed the F2 2024 championship after an intense result at the Yas Marina finale, driving with the Red Bull Junior team throughout F3 and F2. However, he won four races as well as four more podium finishes to challenge new Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto. 

Following Red Bull’s winter overhaul, which saw Liam Lawson replace Sergio Perez and the Frenchman take the vacant seat at Racing Bulls, Isack Hadjar was the last driver to be revealed for the 2025 season. 

His debut in Formula 1 was about as awful as people could imagine. At the Australian Grand Prix in March, Isack Hadjar faced challenging weather conditions in his debut race, which saw the newcomer crash out before he even lined up on the grid. 

However, since this result, the Frenchman has not looked back and has taken race by race, improving each time. Due to his recent performances, reports have been going around the paddock about a potential jump for Hadjar to the second Red Bull seat to replace former teammate Yuki Tsunoda. However, his response to these reports was, “It’s a bit scary; I wouldn’t feel ready.”

Hadjar is currently the second fastest Red Bull driver on the grid, despite being in a much slower car compared to Yuki Tsunoda, with the fastest driver being Max Verstappen.

Hadjar will surely be in contention for Rookie of the Year at the end of the season as he fights against Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes for bragging rights.