The 20-year-old French-Algerian rookie, Isack Hadjar, has quickly gained attention in Formula 1. Despite a rocky start at the Melbourne Grand Prix, where he crashed on the formation lap, Hadjar has become one of the most exciting newcomers on the grid. His impressive performances in qualifying sessions in China and Japan, along with points finishes in both Japan and Saudi Arabia, have drawn praise from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who recognized him as “the surprise of the season.” As Hadjar reflects on his journey to the top, the road has been both challenging and exhilarating.
Hadjar’s fascination with motorsport ignited from a young age, sparked by a Disney Pixar classic. “It was just watching the movie Cars at home,” Hadjar reflected. “I was like two years old. I remember the moment we bought the DVD. It’s crazy that I can remember that! And after that I started watching Formula 1 on TV. So yeah, that’s how it started.” Growing up in Paris, Hadjar was soon behind the wheel of a kart at the tender age of six. “There was a school near Paris, an indoor karting track. I went there with my dad, and I was really good at it the first time,” he recalled. By eight, he was competing in karting events competitively, experiencing early successes in his first few seasons.
As he moved up the ranks, however, the challenges began to mount. “When we went to the national championships and higher up the ranks, it became really frustrating, because I didn’t have the mileage nor the chassis nor the engine – like the right package – to go fast,” Hadjar mentioned. His parents encouraged him to focus on education, which limited his competitive opportunities. “When I was approximately ten to thirteen years old, I couldn’t compete with the other guys.” This led Hadjar to a sense of frustration as he realized that success was often more about budget than talent. “I always wanted to compete in the European and World Championships, which I managed to do in my final year of karting. But that was all we could afford,” he explained. “A go-kart season, when you do a full season, is more than 20 to 24 races. But I was doing eight.” Therefore, his karting career proved to be a blend of enjoyment and challenges, ultimately leading to some dissatisfaction.
Hadjar’s competitive spirit thrived amidst challenges, particularly with his friendship with fellow racer Sami Meguetounif, who now races in Formula 2. “He’s a good friend of mine – probably my best friend in motorsport. We had a lot of battles together in the national championships. But always enjoyable ones,” Hadjar shared. Their bond began a decade ago in Le Mans, where they discovered their shared Algerian roots. “I met him and his dad, and he said: ‘Are you Algerian?’ I said: ‘I’m French but I have Algerian roots.’ That was really funny.” Hadjar is hopeful about their future in Formula 1. “He is very fast. He was a bit less fortunate than me in his career path,” Hadjar said, acknowledging the differences in their journeys. “I would say – and he knows – I had better career choices. But he has all the qualities to be here.”
Transitioning to car racing marked a turning point for Hadjar. Competing in French F4, he found success before moving to the Formula Regional European Championship in 2021 with R-ace GP. “In cars, you can make a much bigger difference as a driver. It’s really simple to be fast in karting,” he explained. “But in cars, there’s a lot to play with to be fast. I just felt more comfortable in F4 than I did in go-karts.” A pivotal moment occurred in Monaco, where he claimed victory in a FRECA race from pole position. “I remember everything of that day. There was a lot of pressure. It was a damp track to start with, and we were on slicks. The conditions were tricky, but it dried up pretty fast, and I dominated the race.” His triumph in Monaco led to a life-changing phone call from his mother, who informed him that Helmut Marko wished to meet him. “So I met him, and he said that he would send me a contract. And that was it – super easy,” Hadjar recalled with a sense of disbelief.
With Red Bull’s backing, Hadjar advanced to F3 in 2022, where he showcased his talent by winning two sprint races and one feature race, ultimately finishing fourth in the standings. This achievement earned him a promotion to F2 for the 2023 season. Hadjar’s journey also included valuable experiences, such as participating in Friday practice sessions in Formula 1 with AlphaTauri and Red Bull. Even amid success, Hadjar faced setbacks. In 2024, he won four feature races and entered the final round in Abu Dhabi with a shot at the title, only to stall at the start of the race. “Worst moment of my life,” he confided on the team radio, encapsulating the emotional toll of competitive racing.
Reflecting on that moment, Hadjar said, “I’ve had way worse moments. But this had no impact whatsoever.” He emphasized, “As a fighter, as someone who wants to win, that hurt a lot.” Fortunately, his resilience was bolstered when he returned to the track shortly after the race for a test session with Red Bull. “I would say the Isack from FRECA, four years ago now, is worlds apart from me now, in terms of level of driving,” he noted, indicating the progress he had made. The support from the Red Bull Junior Team has been invaluable, illustrating the importance of mentorship in his career. “I had – and still have nowadays – all the tools to understand and improve,” Hadjar stated.
One pivotal figure in Hadjar’s development has been Guillaume ‘Rocky’ Rocquelin, Sebastian Vettel’s former engineer at Red Bull. “He was like my personal engineer off the track. I could come to him with any questions and talk to him about anything that happened on the weekend,” Hadjar explained. Their relationship has allowed Hadjar to grow as a driver and hone his craft. “Even when I had my awful first F2 season, he kept me in the programme,” Hadjar shared about Marko’s unwavering support. This genuine connection is rare among Red Bull juniors, as many experience the pressure of Monday morning calls from Marko. “I didn’t have those calls,” he said, expressing appreciation for their authentic relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
The moment Hadjar was informed he would be racing in Formula 1 in 2025 was a dream come true. “F1 was always the goal,” he stated. “Since I was a kid. I never thought about anything else.” Both his mother and his father, who also plays a significant role managing his career, encouraged a focus on the here and now rather than getting caught up in future aspirations. “I think they did a fantastic job with this approach,” Hadjar said. Much attention surrounded a comment Marko made on Austrian TV following Hadjar’s crash in Melbourne, describing it as “a bit painful” to watch Hadjar return to the paddock, devastated. “Yeah, it was painful, I agree with him,” Hadjar acknowledged, framing it as a learning experience rather than a setback. “He didn’t care about my crash,” Hadjar explained, emphasizing the pragmatism inherent in the racing world. Marko’s response underscored a culture focused on improvement and future success.
Hadjar carries the affectionate nickname “Le Petit Prost,” a title that piques curiosity among fans. “Where does it come from? Everyone asks me this, but I have no idea,” he admitted, laughing at the mystery of the moniker. He believes it emerged from his habit of biting his nails, similar to the legendary Alain Prost. “I think it’s really nice that I’m associated with a legend,” he expressed while lightheartedly hoping that Prost wouldn’t mind being linked to his name. Throughout his journey, what stands out is Hadjar’s unyielding determination, enthusiasm, and commitment to excellence, which are essential qualities for a successful career in the high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing.
The future is bright for Isack Hadjar, whose journey to Formula 1 success continues to inspire young drivers around the world. As he prepares to embark on this new chapter in his career, enthusiasm and anticipation surround his entry into the prestigious racing series. Having overcome numerous challenges and developed as a driver, Hadjar is excited about his future and the opportunity to showcase his talent on the grandest stage of motorsport. Through hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of his family, he stands poised to make his mark in Formula 1, carrying the hopes of a generation of aspiring racers along with him.
