Isack Hadjar of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls delivered an exceptional performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, securing a P7 finish in the qualifying rounds. As the only driver from his team to reach Q3, Hadjar showed remarkable resilience, overcoming significant challenges in the cockpit to achieve this impressive result.
The journey to P7 was not easy for the determined French driver. He endured numerous difficulties, most notably a painful issue with his seatbelt that nearly thwarted his efforts in the initial phases of qualifying. At one point, Hadjar felt his chances of progressing past the first qualifying session were slipping away, describing the situation as being potentially “the worst scenario.”
In an interview with Sky Sports, Hadjar detailed the discomfort he faced due to a tightly fastened seatbelt that caused him significant pain. He described the experience simply as “a nightmare,” recounting his struggle to persevere through the initial sessions. “I just pulled through; honestly, I’m really proud of myself, like the lap I did in Q1 with what I had, unbelievable,” he said. Despite the pain persisting during Q1, Hadjar managed to resolve the seatbelt issue after the first session, allowing him to focus more effectively on his driving in Q2 and Q3.
Reflecting on his performance in Q3, Hadjar admitted that although he felt the lap was nearly spectacular, he missed opportunities to optimize his time. “I left like a whole 10th in the final chicane,” he mentioned. Despite this, he remained upbeat about the overall lap, declaring it “fantastic” aside from the small hiccup.
The upcoming race day presents another test for Hadjar, with anticipated rain potentially altering the dynamics of the competition. Early morning showers could introduce elements of unpredictability, creating both opportunities and risks for the drivers. Hadjar remains composed about the weather conditions, acknowledging that a dry race would make life easier for maintaining his starting position, while rain could either allow him to ascend the order or slip backwards. “I mean, dry is the easy option,” he explained. “Rain is that I can fall quite back or gain a lot of position.”
Hadjar’s determination to maintain his race pace will be crucial, especially with competitors like Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Williams’ Alex Albon eager to advance. Both Hamilton and Albon are set on improving their grid positions, with Hadjar needing to hold his ground to defend his place. The limited practice running, compounded by red flags, has left Hadjar uncertain but hopeful about his race-day performance. “Practice, the fuel load, it’s too difficult to know what’s going on,” he remarked, noting that the interrupted sessions made it hard to gauge competitor performance. Nonetheless, he remains positive about his race setup, stating, “But the feeling was good, so it should be okay.”
Isack Hadjar’s drive and tenacity, despite the adversities faced, underscore his emerging talent in the motorsport world. With his focus firmly set on the race ahead, the young driver’s ability to navigate complex conditions and strong competitors will be crucial in determining his success at the Japanese Grand Prix.
