Isack Hadjar demonstrated a strong comeback at the Italian Grand Prix, earning valuable points despite starting from the pit lane at Monza. The French rookie driver overcame challenges during qualifying and race day to deliver an impressive performance, highlighting his growing momentum in Formula 1 this season.
Hadjar’s Race Day Recovery at Monza
Hadjar, driving for the Racing Bull team, faced a difficult start after failing to progress beyond the first qualifying session (Q1) for the first time this year. Compounding the difficulty, he began the race from the pit lane due to a new power unit installation. Despite these setbacks, the young driver pushed through to secure points in a highly competitive field at the ‘Temple of Speed.’
Reflecting on his efforts after the race, Hadjar shared his satisfaction with the outcome.
“Very happy. It is the best I could have done today, so now I can go home proud.”
He also explained the fluctuating performance of his car over the race weekend, noting a rough qualifying but a stronger race pace.
“To be honest, the car has been okay on Friday and then on Saturday really picked up the pace, we just had a terrible Q1 where we didn’t show our potential. I knew starting from the back of the grid, I would be very fast because I knew what I had underneath me. And it really paid off; the strategy was good. I had fun!”
Pre-Race Expectations and Strategy Insights
Before the Italian Grand Prix, Hadjar anticipated a tough challenge navigating Monza’s fast layout from a disadvantaged starting position. He expected to be caught in the difficult dynamic of DRS trains, which often impacts overtaking opportunities.
Contrary to his predictions, the race unfolded differently, allowing him to capitalize on tire performance in clear air.
“Before the race, I thought we’d have got stuck in a DRS train, but instead we made the most of the hard tyres in free air,”
Hadjar remarked.
He further described the race as an unusually smooth experience in terms of tire management.
“Overall, it was a fun race as it felt like we did Quali laps one after the other without tyre degradation. After a frustrating Qualifying and a race start from the pit lane, I think we really deserve this point as a team. Looking forward to getting back to racing in Baku in two weeks’ time.”
Continuing Momentum Following Recent Races
Hadjar’s recovery at Monza builds on promising showings earlier in the season, notably his podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. At Zandvoort, he qualified fourth and finished third after a last-lap incident took Lando Norris out of contention, marking a significant milestone in the rookie’s career.
The French driver’s form had seen some inconsistency, including a stretch from the Canadian GP through Silverstone without scoring points. However, his return to point-scoring finishes in Belgium signaled upward momentum. With a total of 38 points earned this season, much of that tally has accumulated in the recent races, reflecting his learning curve and adaptation to Formula 1’s demands.
Hadjar’s perseverance and strategic racecraft at Monza underscore his growing reputation as a determined competitor, hinting at further strong performances as the championship continues.
