Isack Hadjar has been encouraged to show more positivity to support his Racing Bulls team amid his promising 2025 Formula 1 rookie season. The French driver, currently competing with Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls, has acknowledged the importance of expressing joy for the team‘s morale and success.
Isack Hadjar’s Start and Progress with Racing Bulls
Hadjar made his Formula 1 debut in 2025 with Racing Bulls after an impressive career in Formula 2, where he finished second in the 2024 season behind Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto. Despite an early stumble caused by a spin on the formation lap of his first Grand Prix in Melbourne, Hadjar has demonstrated resilience and steady improvement throughout the season.
In 14 rounds, he has accrued 22 points, including a best race finish of sixth at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. His performances have drawn praise from Helmut Marko, a senior advisor at Red Bull and an influential figure in driver development, though Marko and others have noted that Hadjar could benefit from radiating more enthusiasm after positive results.
The Challenge of Sharing Success and Maintaining Team Positivity
Hadjar has admitted that being overly self-critical sometimes prevents him from celebrating his accomplishments as openly as his team would like. Reflecting on this, he said,
“I need to cheer up a bit more when I have a good result for my team,”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls driver
He elaborated on this mindset with the following comment:
“It’s just that, like, when I have a very good result and I know there was more left on the table and I could have done a better job, I’m self-critical a lot,”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls driver
Hadjar also explained that his entourage has encouraged him to be more positive because the engineers and mechanics rely on uplifting feedback to stay motivated.
“But I can tell you when I do the job and I’m happy with myself, if there’s someone that celebrates, and that goes crazy to me. But it’s quite rare.”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls driver
Hadjar’s Place Among His Team-Mates and Team Dynamics
Hadjar’s Formula 1 seat became available after Liam Lawson was promoted to Red Bull’s main F1 team to eventually replace Sergio Perez, initially slotting Hadjar alongside Yuki Tsunoda at Racing Bulls. However, after two rounds, Red Bull shuffled their driver lineup again, returning Lawson to Racing Bulls while Tsunoda was elevated to Red Bull.
This reshuffling highlighted the competitive nature of the 2025 F1 driver market and the trust Red Bull places in Hadjar. He has held his own against teammates, showing the potential that earned him a promotion from Formula 2 following a strong championship performance.
Reflection on a Difficult Path and Positive Outlook
Hadjar has acknowledged the pressures that come with securing a Formula 1 seat, describing the experience as stressful and uncertain in the lead up to the 2025 season.
“It’s been very uncertain, very stressful,”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls driver
He revealed that while fighting for the Formula 2 title, he was unsure if an F1 opportunity would materialize until the call came. Despite this, Hadjar expressed confidence that the team’s faith in him was well placed.
“It’s been a tough ride, but they made the right decision, so I’m happy.”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls driver
Hadjar’s recognition of the need to balance self-criticism with outward positivity signals a growing maturity, one that could strengthen team morale and further his development within the high-pressure environment of Formula 1.
As the season continues, Hadjar’s increased enthusiasm and positive reinforcement could prove vital for his team, helping Racing Bulls to maximize their potential while building a more supportive atmosphere for engineers and crew alike. His progress will be closely watched by Red Bull ahead of potential changes in their driver lineup toward the 2026 season.
