Isack Hadjar made his Formula 1 debut with Racing Bulls at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday, March 14, 2025, garnering acclaim from team advisor Helmut Marko, who described the young driver1s performance as 4impressive; fast and without mistakes.4
The season has begun with much anticipation for Hadjar, who was the last rookie to secure his seat for 2025. Having previously only accumulated around 400 laps of experience in F1 cars before arriving at Albert Park, the 20-year-old French-Algerian driver stepped up to the task, demonstrating his capabilities early on.
Before his first official day on the track, Hadjar participated in the Melbourne Walk on Thursday, where he spent over twenty minutes signing autographs and taking selfies with fans, making sure not to disappoint them. 4I feel the pressure I put on myself to perform, but the external pressure will always be slightly less than what I impose on myself,4 he shared during his first press encounters.
Despite his relative shyness during interviews, Hadjar showed composure throughout the day, thanks to the efforts of his PR team, led by Laurent Mekies, who wanted to isolate him from the external noise so he could focus. Mekies emphasized, 4We try to make sure he is comfortable with the car and goes step by step. It1s a long weekend and season.4
After his first day, Hadjar successfully completed 25 laps during the first practice session (FP1), finishing ninth overall. This solid foundation continued as he finished sixth after the second practice session (FP2), just two and a half tenths behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who placed fourth. While these initial times appear positive, team members were left with no illusions, as Mekies insisted, 4You cannot trust too much from the times yet.4
The pressure remains high for Hadjar, who is conscious of the challenges posed by the urban Albert Park Circuit and will face intense scrutiny if he falls short on performance. 4He has only one day of testing with Christian Horner's team before arriving at Bahrain,4 Mekies noted, showcasing the weight of expectations on the rookie.
Reflecting on his unexpected pathway to F1, Hadjar credited his success partly to Checo Pérez, who recommended him to Red Bull's Driver Academy following his impressive showing during the European Regional Formula Championship race in Barcelona around 2021. Hadjar recounted this pivotal moment, mentioning, 4I think Checo saw the Barcelona race and told Helmut: ‘This kid overtook well.’ Helmut saw me, and within a week, I won my race at Monaco.4
His transition from Formula 2, where he finished as runner-up, to F1 is steep, as Hadjar acknowledges the physical demands of the sport. 4The G-force produced at F1 is another story. You have to be more enclosed, and the efforts are much more laborious. I1ve reinforced my neck to withstand these new limits,4 he explained, highlighting his extensive preparation. He also revealed he has been working with a mental coach, who assists him to focus on performance rather than danger, stating, 4I never think about the risks. It1s more about managing my capacity to move on quickly after setbacks.4
Looking forward, Hadjar eagerly anticipates his upcoming battles with seasoned drivers like Lewis Hamilton, expressing his ambition to impress and make his mark, 4I see myself on the grid, surrounded by the best drivers. It1s going to be crazy! I need to stand out among others who have the extra factor of brilliance, like Ayrton Senna, for example. 4
Isack Hadjar's debut performance has thrilled observers and marked the beginning of what could be a groundbreaking season, laden with potential and promise for the young driver. Whether he can navigate the pressures and expectations of F1 remains to be seen, but Hadjar's combination of talent, determination, and strategic foresight quickly make him one to watch.