Isack Hadjar, recently joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull, faced a tough Isack Hadjar rally-raid challenge in anticipation of his Formula 1 debut, testing his skills against a professional on a demanding desert course. The event took place in the Ford Raptor T1+, bringing together Hadjar and rally-raid expert Mitch Guthrie Jr on a 4km track featuring steep jumps, a 12-metre cliff, and technical climbs.
Taking on the Ford Raptor T1+ Under Expert Guidance
The rally-raid experience began with Hadjar observing from the passenger seat as Mitch Guthrie Jr demonstrated the unforgiving conditions of desert rally, setting a fast benchmark for the challenge. Guthrie Jr, who played the role of mentor, set a target lap time of 3 minutes and 16 seconds, daring Hadjar to get within 15 seconds of his pace. Before Hadjar started his attempt, he was given some advice:
“I think you’re about to find out how brutal desert rally can really be. Good luck, mate,”
Guthrie Jr warned Hadjar.
Progressing Through Each Lap on the Rugged Circuit
On his initial attempt, Hadjar clocked a lap time of 4 minutes and 20 seconds, falling short of the goal but displaying determination. As he continued, his times improved, with a best practice run of 3 minutes and 19 seconds—just three seconds off the professional’s benchmark. Hadjar expressed his excitement after experiencing the challenge, stating,
“I rarely have this much fun,”
and later describing a highlight of the run:
“[Doing a jump in the car is the] best thing ever. To be fair, this car gives you so much confidence.”
Over the course of his attempts, Hadjar overcame course challenges, such as running deep into turns and restarting the vehicle, gradually closing the gap. His final effort brought him within two seconds of Guthrie Jr’s time, ending the day with 3 minutes and 18 seconds on the clock. Summing up the experience, Hadjar remarked,
“Oh, honestly, mate, I could do that all day,”
leaving the course with a smile.
Rally-Raid Challenge Sets the Stage for Hadjar’s Next Chapter
This rally-raid challenge precedes Hadjar’s first season as a Formula 1 driver with Red Bull. Having secured his position after a solid rookie year, where he ranked 12th in the drivers’ standings with 51 points and claimed his first F1 podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, Hadjar’s adaptability and spirit shown on the desert track reinforce expectations for his upcoming F1 campaign. Alongside Max Verstappen, Hadjar enters the next phase of his career with fresh momentum, boosted by his rally experience and newfound confidence navigating extreme conditions.
