Rising star Isack Hadjar, one of five fresh faces on the Formula 1 grid, recently shared his thoughts and experiences with Motorsport Week during his initial pre-season test. The French-Algerian driver, a late addition to the 2025 F1 grid, fills the final slot for the Red Bull F1 team, following the removal of Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson’s promotion to the senior team.
Despite having a relatively low profile among the new drivers, Hadjar seems unfazed. He views his position amongst the other rookies – such as Lawson, Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Haas’ Oliver Bearman, and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto – as a testament to the strength of their generation. He relishes the opportunity to race against familiar faces and believes his past experiences will aid in his navigation of the F1 circuit.
Hadjar’s preparation for the F1 scene, albeit less extensive than some of his peers, was a focused and intense effort. He completed a total of 243 laps of the Bahrain International Circuit during F1’s three-day pre-season test, second only to Haas’ Esteban Ocon. He also gained exposure through F1 75, where he and his new teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, created a stir with their social media antics.
The transition from the Red Bull junior program to the Formula 1 grid has been a whirlwind for Hadjar. He’s won eight races across F2 and Formula 3 in three seasons and has now turned his attention to mastering the media side of the sport. His candid reaction to the new Racing Bulls livery at the F1 75 launch event in London’s O2 Arena quickly went viral, offering a glimpse of his genuine passion for the sport.
Hadjar’s first impressions of driving an F1 car were straightforward – it’s extremely fast. He acknowledges that his experience is limited, but is confident in his ability to adapt quickly. His performance during the testing phase was commendable, with his pace almost matching that of his more seasoned teammate, Tsunoda.
Learning from Tsunoda, a seasoned player in the F1 scene, is a key part of Hadjar’s strategy. He has followed Tsunoda’s career closely since their first meeting at Suzuka and believes that their camaraderie off the track will translate into healthy competition on it. Despite his lack of experience, Hadjar is clear about his goal – to outpace Tsunoda.
As Hadjar prepares to navigate the 24-race calendar across various global circuits, he is most excited about driving in Japan and Brazil, and experiencing the thrill of Monaco in an F1 car. His succinct remarks reflect his confidence and focus, indicating that he’s not just a filler on the 2025 F1 grid but a formidable contender ready to make his mark on the sport.