Isack Hadjar secured a spot as a full-time Formula 1 driver in 2025 despite never having won a junior championship, a rare feat in motorsport. At just 20 years old, Hadjar’s journey into F1 stands out as he quietly made his mark among rookies, proving his value through focused determination and notable performances.
His approach is deliberate and composed, favoring few words but making sure each one carries weight. Reflecting on the pressure young drivers face, Hadjar said,
“For a young driver, the most important thing is to impress. You can win a title, but if you don’t impress people, you’ll hardly achieve your goal.”
Early Signs of Promise and Unexpected Opportunities
Hadjar first caught attention at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix by winning the Formula Regional support race from pole position, an unexpected victory that hinted at his potential. After that race weekend, he returned to a modest apartment with his then-manager, where an important phone call abruptly changed his trajectory.
“We had just walked in when my trainer said he got a call: ‘Helmut Marko wants to meet you.’ I told him to get lost – I thought he was joking. But he kept insisting, and I realised it was serious. I asked, ‘OK, when?’ and he said, ‘Now!’”
Hadjar recalled.
With no taxi available, Hadjar and his team ran to Marko’s hotel, arriving sweaty but ready.
“Helmut was standing in the lobby. We sat down, and it was all very simple. He looked at me and said, ‘I’ll send you a contract. That’s it.’ At the time it felt strange, but I later understood – that’s how it works.”
Settling into Life Near Racing Bulls’ Base
Hadjar now lives in Faenza, close to the Racing Bulls team that welcomed him last winter. Despite his preference for his Faenza base over Milton Keynes, he spends most of his time traveling.
“I left for Melbourne and didn’t come back until just before Imola. You go from race to race, and if there are a few free days, I usually spend them at the simulator in Milton Keynes,”
he explained.
His demeanor is calm and focused; when he listens, he is fully attentive, though his gaze occasionally drifts until he reconnects with his point. Preparing for his first European race weekend as an F1 driver at Imola, just 15 kilometers from his flat, Hadjar demonstrated precision by packing carefully. Alongside his racing discipline, he practices judo whenever he can, using it to sharpen his focus and self-control. Once ready, he often prompts others with a simple, “Shall we go?”
Family Support and Deep Cultural Roots
Hadjar comes from a supportive and hardworking family. His father, Yassine, is a quantum physicist while his mother, Randa, serves as an HR director and also manages Isack’s racing career. They immigrated alone from Algeria to France in their youth, shaping a life founded on perseverance and dedication.
Regarding his heritage and family influence, Hadjar shared,
“My family is originally from Algeria. My parents came to France alone at 19 and built everything they have through hard work.”
Yassine’s scientific career inspired Isack — a tribute is evident in the complex formulae painted on the back of his helmet.
His karting journey began early, although not without initial fear.
“When I was five, he put me in a rental kart, and I found it terrifying. Two years later, he signed me up for a course outside Paris – one session every other Sunday. Eventually, the instructor told my dad, ‘Your son is good. You should buy him a kart and let him race.’”
His parents set strict conditions:
“If you want to do something, you commit to it. But it was understood that I had to excel – otherwise they wouldn’t support what had become my dream.”
His father, despite disliking mechanics, transformed weekend mornings into kart races.
“He hates mechanics, but he became my mechanic just for me. Weekends at the track, long drives – he gave all his free time to me. Then, once I started getting results, things became more serious and my mother stepped in.”
Randa used her professional network to help secure the funding necessary for Isack to move from karting into single-seater racing.
Maintaining Focus Amid a Busy Racing Calendar
During the intense F1 season, Randa follows Isack closely, including at race venues like Imola. His schedule starts early, with simulator sessions, team meetings, and media obligations, yet he stays grounded amid growing fame. His interests extend beyond racing — he enjoys football, MMA fights, and follows junior racing categories.
“This is exactly what I dreamed of doing. The only difference is that dreams don’t include the less exciting parts – like the endless travel. When I was younger, my dad used to say: enjoy the days when you’re bored. I’d think, ‘What are you talking about? I want to race, play football, hang out with friends.’ But now I get it – I miss those quiet days at home. The schedule is relentless. Last week I got sick; I was totally wiped out.”
Despite the exhaustion, Hadjar thrives when racing.
“But when I’m in the car, especially in qualifying – Q1, Q2, Q3 – I love it. You know every tenth matters, and those are incredible moments.”
He reflects on the challenge of balancing social life with sport:
“I wish I could live two lives – one where I’m just with the people I like, and one where I just race. But I know I can’t have both.”
The Drive Behind the Rookie’s Intensity
On race weekends, Hadjar’s focus intensifies. Saturday mornings begin early, with visits to the Paddock Club and media commitments, though he often remains introspective, listening to French rap depending on his mood. His restless energy is less about impatience, more a way to concentrate and prepare mentally for the tasks ahead.
When speaking about the technical side of racing, he expressed a growing appreciation:
“I know how important the technical side is,”
he said.
“It wasn’t easy at first, but now I enjoy that part of the job. I’ve realised how much of a difference you can make even outside the car. I know I have a lot of room to grow there.”
He acknowledges the influence of his father’s intellect on his approach.
“I try to use my head. My dad is a quantum physicist who studied his whole life – I hope I’ve inherited some of his abilities. And I’ve learned that when I’m on track, I’m not just pushing the car – I’m the primary sensor my engineers rely on.”
Despite his dedication, Hadjar dislikes routine. He confessed,
“I hate it! If you make me do the same thing 200 times, I lose my mind. I like new challenges.”
Such attitude promises resilience and adaptability in his burgeoning career.
After qualifying ninth at Imola, Hadjar’s competitive spirit was clear: he admitted quietly, “I could’ve been fifth…”
Swift Rise to Formula 1 Without Formal Confirmation
Just months before making his F1 debut, Hadjar was not assured of a seat. His faith in himself never wavered:
“Did I believe in it? Always! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have kept racing. I always believed – even in the worst moments.”
Interestingly, he was never officially informed he’d be racing in F1.
“I never got a call saying I’d be a Formula 1 driver. Let’s just say Helmut doesn’t like giving good news,”
he joked.
“No one ever said, ‘Good morning, Isack, you’re in F1 next year.’ Nothing like that. But obviously, I got the sense. Only when last season ended, and I was doing a simulator session in Milton Keynes, they told me: ‘Tomorrow, you’re going to Faenza.’ I asked why, and they said: ‘Don’t worry, see you tomorrow.’ It’s funny now – but back then, it kept me on edge.”
Though his Imola race was impacted by a poorly timed safety car that dropped him from sixth to ninth, Hadjar’s reputation is rising within the F1 paddock as a driver with talent and determination.
“What I said about junior categories still holds true: you don’t always have a winning car, but I think there’s always an opportunity to show something impressive, something good. That’s what I’ve always relied on.”
Looking ahead, he remains focused on growth and winning.
“But I know the time will come when only one thing matters: winning – and winning a lot.”
