Isack Hadjar, Red Bull’s newest promising driver, experienced a challenging start to his Formula 1 career during the Australian Grand Prix. He crashed out on the formation lap, preventing him from starting his first Grand Prix race. The young French driver was visibly upset, seen walking through the paddock with tears streaming down his face while still wearing his helmet.
During this difficult moment, Hadjar encountered Anthony Hamilton, the father of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Hadjar’s childhood hero. Hamilton offered comfort and support, embracing the distraught rookie as he dealt with the emotional impact of the accident. This moment proved significant in Hadjar’s ability to recover and press forward.
Hadjar’s Rise Following a Difficult Debut
After Yuki Tsunoda’s disappointing performance in the second Red Bull seat, Hadjar earned the promotion to race alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen starting in 2026, with potential to continue beyond that season. As he prepared for this breakthrough opportunity, Hadjar reflected on his emotional response to his crash and the support he received from Anthony Hamilton during an interview on the Talking Bull podcast.
“For me, my world collapsed that day,”
Hadjar confessed.
“In the car, the emotions were very, very high. But I’m in a sport where it’s not like you have a fight every six months, you get to run it back five days later and that’s when I saw my opportunity.”
“I thought, ‘ok, I’m going to have a painful five days now thinking about this mistake, but I know I’ll get back in the car and show everyone what I can do’. And, at that time of year, I had my best qualifying in China. I got back to my feet very quickly.”
Strong Performances Reinforce Hadjar’s Future with Red Bull
Following his disastrous debut, Hadjar demonstrated resilience and progress. At the Chinese Grand Prix the following weekend, he qualified seventh and finished just outside the points in eleventh. He began scoring championship points at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka by finishing eighth. The most defining moment came at the Dutch Grand Prix, where Hadjar stood on the podium alongside Max Verstappen with his career-best result of third place, solidifying his position within the team.
Hadjar’s rapid improvement after his initial crash has not only proven his determination but also highlighted his potential to become a key figure at Red Bull alongside Verstappen. The path from a career-threatening accident to a promising competitor reflects the mental strength required in Formula 1, and the support from influential figures like Anthony Hamilton only deepened his resolve. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Hadjar to see how he continues to develop against the sport’s elite.
