Isack Hadjar’s Rise: From Watching Lewis Hamilton on TV to Turning into Crimson Bull’s High Prospect
Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has emerged as probably the most surprising revelations of the 2025 Components 1 season. Whereas pre-season conversations targeted on which of the six full-time rookies may need the best impression, Hadjar’s title hardly ever appeared in these discussions. But after 9 rounds, he’s arguably the standout newcomer on the grid.
The 22-year-old French driver was a late addition to the Racing Bulls line-up, becoming a member of the staff solely after Crimson Bull made the shock choice to half methods with Sergio Perez. That shake-up led to Liam Lawson being promoted to the senior staff, leaving Hadjar to step into the emptiness. Regardless of ending because the 2024 Components 2 runner-up behind Gabriel Bortoleto, Hadjar entered the game with far much less hype than fellow rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman.
Nonetheless, Hadjar’s performances have drawn reward all through the paddock, with 1996 World Champion Damon Hill admitting he was greatly surprised by the younger driver’s composure and pace—echoing a sentiment shared by many inside the F1 group.
Off the observe, Hadjar has additionally drawn consideration for his reference to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Throughout his Components 1 debut weekend in Australia, Hadjar suffered a crash on the formation lap, but it surely was Hamilton’s father, Anthony Hamilton, who provided him consolation within the aftermath. Born in 2004, Hadjar was solely three years outdated when Hamilton made his debut with McLaren in 2007—but the Briton would change into a central determine in Hadjar’s motorsport inspiration.
Talking to Mundo Deportivo in the course of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Hadjar mirrored on his childhood admiration for Hamilton. He described the expertise of now sharing the grid with a driver he had supported since he was a baby as surreal. He famous the mutual respect between them, whereas additionally acknowledging the generational hole. Hadjar additionally appreciated his interactions with Anthony Hamilton, describing their relationship as heat and supportive.
When requested whether or not the Ferrari driver had provided him recommendation, Hadjar made it clear that whereas there’s mutual respect, Hamilton hardly ever gives steerage—primarily as a result of they’re now rivals.
He added that he prefers studying independently and doesn’t usually search assist, explaining that self-discovery is a key a part of his development as a driver.
Reflecting on his early life as a Components 1 fan, Isack Hadjar revealed that it was Hamilton’s driving model throughout his dominant Mercedes period that left the largest impression on him.
He defined that quite than watching the complete Grand Prix broadcast, he would focus solely on Lewis Hamilton’s onboard digital camera footage to check how the Brit managed his races. He credited these classes with instructing him invaluable classes about racecraft and technique.
Curiously, when requested if he had realized something from fellow F1 veteran Fernando Alonso, Hadjar acknowledged the Spaniard’s presence however reiterated that it was Lewis Hamilton whose model he gravitated towards essentially the most.
The truth that Hadjar’s biggest studying moments got here from Hamilton’s Mercedes years—lengthy after the British driver’s McLaren debut—solely highlights simply how younger this era of rookies is, and the way far the game has advanced since then.
Regardless of having simply 9 Grand Prix entries—and solely eight precise race begins—hypothesis about Hadjar’s future is already intensifying. Crimson Bull’s long-standing battle to discover a constant and aggressive teammate for Max Verstappen continues, with Yuki Tsunoda underperforming and Liam Lawson already given a earlier alternative that didn’t solidify his place.
Isack Hadjar is now being touted because the main contender to exchange Tsunoda, with many viewing him as Crimson Bull’s subsequent Components 1 driver.
Nonetheless, whether or not the staff chooses to advertise him so early in his profession stays to be seen. Commentator David Croft has already expressed warning, warning towards dashing Hadjar right into a high-pressure position earlier than he’s totally prepared.
Nonetheless, along with his composed demeanor, spectacular tempo, and rising maturity, Hadjar is quickly establishing himself as probably the most in-form drivers on the grid—inserting him firmly on Crimson Bull’s radar for the longer term.
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