MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The excitement of the Formula 1 season opener was shadowed by heartbreak for Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, who crashed on the formation lap of the Australian Grand Prix, effectively ending his debut before it began.
Heavy rain throughout the day had rendered the Albert Park Circuit slippery and treacherous, forcing all drivers to start on intermediate tyres. The poor grip conditions were significant, as Hadjar discovered just minutes after the formation lap began.
The 20-year-old French-Algerian driver lost control of his car at Turn Two, spinning out and crashing heavily against the barriers. His rear wing was destroyed upon impact, and he was forced to retire immediately. This misfortune marked one of the worst starts imaginable for the rookie, who had impressed many during the weekend leading up to the race.
Hadjar, who had fewer than 500 laps of experience behind the wheel of a Grand Prix car prior to this race, was visibly distraught as he walked back to the pits with his crash helmet still on. He was soon comforted by Anthony Hamilton, father of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. It was captured on camera and described as "a beautiful moment" as Hamilton provided reassurance to the devastated rookie.
Anthony Hamilton's gesture spoke volumes about the camaraderie and support within the racing community. The sight of the young driver, clearly emotional after such disappointment, provided stark imagery amid the fast-paced and high-stakes nature of Formula 1. "A beautiful moment between Anthony Hamilton and Isack Hadjar as he comforts the rookie after his crash," reported Sky Sports F1.
The Australian Grand Prix saw mixed fortunes for other drivers as well. Following Hadjar's crash, the race start was aborted, and all cars returned to the grid to await clearance. Intermittent rain continued to affect visibility and traction on the track. Eventually, the formation lap was rescheduled for 3:15 PM local time, and the race would start with 19 cars instead of the intended full grid after Hadjar's unfortunate incident.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, provided insights on the challenging weather conditions, stating, "It's very wet, and very windy on a low-grip surface," as he assessed the situation. He highlighted the unique challenges presented by the Albert Park street circuit, which tends to be slicker when wet due to accumulated debris.
Meanwhile, as the race was set to restart, Lewis Hamilton also struggled during his Ferrari debut, failing to push past Alex Albon, causing him to lose precious time. The narrative of the race kept shifting as team strategies were put to the test under these rapidly changing conditions.
Arriving at lap seven, Lando Norris was noticeably leading the race, having managed to hold off challenges from reigning champion Max Verstappen and local hero Oscar Piastri. The McLaren teammate battle was undeterred, but the track continued to catch drivers off guard with its slippery surface, evidenced by multiple incidents throughout the race.
Shortly after the restart, Fernando Alonso found himself another casualty, crashing out after losing control of his Aston Martin and hitting the wall, leading to the deployment of the safety car once again. This incident highlighted the tough race day all drivers faced as they navigated through the tricky conditions.
The combination of Hadjar's misfortunes, Alonso's crash, and the challenges presented by the weather created one of the most chaotic races to kick off the 2025 Formula One season. Reports of multiple drivers being investigated for safety car adherence compounded the drama as telemetry data continued to be examined by officials.
Despite the difficulties, the field continued to race on, with the remaining drivers jockeying for position amid enduring rain showers. The weather cleared slightly as the day progressed, presenting new opportunities for those still competing.
Under these challenging conditions, the Australian Grand Prix has set the tone for the season, showcasing the resilience and determination of the drivers. The story of Isack Hadjar will certainly be one remembered for its emotional weight and the lessons it carries for rookie drivers moving forward, cementing it as one of the notable tales from the event.