Isack Hadjar: The Rising Star Under Pressure to Keep His Cool in Formula 1!
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where emotions can run as fast as the cars themselves, Isack Hadjar is gearing up for a pivotal leap. The 21-year-old French driver is set to transition from the sister team of Red Bull Racing to the elite squad next season, but there’s a catch—he must rein in his emotional intensity if he hopes to thrive alongside the reigning champion, Max Verstappen.
Hadjar’s rookie campaign in 2025 was nothing short of remarkable. He racked up 51 points, landing him a respectable 12th place in the Drivers’ Championship while driving for the Faenza-based squad. His impressive performance ignited rampant speculation over the summer about a potential promotion within the Red Bull family, and just before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, those whispers were confirmed. The coveted second seat at Red Bull, a position laden with both prestige and pressure, now belongs to Hadjar.
However, the transition isn’t just about speed; it’s about managing the psychological warfare that comes with elite racing. Helmut Marko, the outgoing advisor at Red Bull, has been candid about the expectations placed on Hadjar. “From his side, the only thing we have to blame is that he has to control his emotions,” Marko pointedly stated. He added with a touch of humor, “The steering wheel has no fault, I would say,” a comment alluding to Hadjar’s habit of expressing frustration by hitting the steering wheel—an emotional release that could cost him dearly on the track.
Hadjar himself acknowledges this emotional struggle. At a recent media event at Yas Marina Circuit, he revealed, “I noticed this year that my expectations were sometimes too high for my current abilities.” This self-awareness is crucial, as it highlights the pressure he places on himself to achieve perfection. “In qualifying, I’m always mad because I didn’t get the perfect lap. There’s always something missing,” he admits, illustrating the relentless drive that fuels his ambition—but also his mistakes.
This intensity, while a hallmark of competitive spirit, can become a double-edged sword. Hadjar confesses, “I may have been too hard on myself, leading to some errors because I put so much pressure to deliver the standards I want.” For a man who has always pushed for excellence—“You’ll never catch me with a smile if I didn’t do the job,” he says—the stakes are higher than ever.
With the world watching, the expectations are monumental. Hadjar understands that even an incredible result won’t soothe his dissatisfaction if he feels he hasn’t executed his plan flawlessly. As he stands on the brink of a career-defining opportunity, the question remains: can Isack Hadjar temper his fiery passion and harness it for success in the cutthroat arena of Formula 1?
As the countdown to the 2026 season begins, one thing is clear: Hadjar’s journey will be nothing short of thrilling, but only if he can keep his emotions in check while navigating the intense world of Red Bull Racing. The stage is set, the spotlight is on, and the pressure is mounting—will he rise to the occasion or succumb to the weight of expectations? Only time will tell!









