Isack Hadjar’s Rise: From Watching Lewis Hamilton on TV to Changing into Purple Bull’s High Prospect
Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has emerged as some of the surprising revelations of the 2025 Components 1 season. Whereas pre-season conversations centered on which of the six full-time rookies might need the best affect, Hadjar’s title not often appeared in these discussions. But after 9 rounds, he’s arguably the standout newcomer on the grid.
The 22-year-old French driver was a late addition to the Racing Bulls line-up, becoming a member of the workforce solely after Purple Bull made the shock determination to half methods with Sergio Perez. That shake-up led to Liam Lawson being promoted to the senior workforce, leaving Hadjar to step into the emptiness. Regardless of ending because the 2024 Components 2 runner-up behind Gabriel Bortoleto, Hadjar entered the game with far much less hype than fellow rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman.
Nonetheless, Hadjar’s performances have drawn reward all through the paddock, with 1996 World Champion Damon Hill admitting he was stunned by the younger driver’s composure and pace—echoing a sentiment shared by many throughout the F1 group.
Off the observe, Hadjar has additionally drawn consideration for his reference to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Throughout his Components 1 debut weekend in Australia, Hadjar suffered a crash on the formation lap, nevertheless it was Hamilton’s father, Anthony Hamilton, who provided him consolation within the aftermath. Born in 2004, Hadjar was solely three years previous when Hamilton made his debut with McLaren in 2007—but the Briton would change into a central determine in Hadjar’s motorsport inspiration.
Talking to Mundo Deportivo in the course of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Hadjar mirrored on his childhood admiration for Hamilton. He described the expertise of now sharing the grid with a driver he had supported since he was a toddler as surreal. He famous the mutual respect between them, whereas additionally acknowledging the generational hole. Hadjar additionally appreciated his interactions with Anthony Hamilton, describing their relationship as heat and supportive.
When requested whether or not the Ferrari driver had provided him recommendation, Hadjar made it clear that whereas there may be mutual respect, Hamilton not often supplies steerage—primarily as a result of they’re now rivals.
He added that he prefers studying independently and doesn’t usually search assist, explaining that self-discovery is a key a part of his development as a driver.
Reflecting on his youth as a Components 1 fan, Isack Hadjar revealed that it was Hamilton’s driving type throughout his dominant Mercedes period that left the most important impression on him.
He defined that slightly than watching the total Grand Prix broadcast, he would focus completely on Lewis Hamilton’s onboard digital camera footage to review how the Brit managed his races. He credited these periods with instructing him invaluable classes about racecraft and technique.
Curiously, when requested if he had discovered something from fellow F1 veteran Fernando Alonso, Hadjar acknowledged the Spaniard’s presence however reiterated that it was Lewis Hamilton whose type he gravitated towards probably the most.
The truth that Hadjar’s best studying moments got here from Hamilton’s Mercedes years—lengthy after the British driver’s McLaren debut—solely highlights simply how younger this technology of rookies is, and the way far the game has advanced since then.
Regardless of having simply 9 Grand Prix entries—and solely eight precise race begins—hypothesis about Hadjar’s future is already intensifying. Purple Bull’s long-standing wrestle to discover a constant and aggressive teammate for Max Verstappen continues, with Yuki Tsunoda underperforming and Liam Lawson already given a earlier alternative that didn’t solidify his place.
Isack Hadjar is now being touted because the main contender to switch Tsunoda, with many viewing him as Purple Bull’s subsequent Components 1 driver.
Nevertheless, whether or not the workforce chooses to advertise him so early in his profession stays to be seen. Commentator David Croft has already expressed warning, warning in opposition to dashing Hadjar right into a high-pressure function earlier than he’s totally prepared.
Nonetheless, together with his composed demeanor, spectacular tempo, and rising maturity, Hadjar is quickly establishing himself as some of the in-form drivers on the grid—putting him firmly on Purple Bull’s radar for the longer term.
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