Isack Hadjar has had a wildly impressive start to his rookie season in the RB, managing the fine balance between consistency and performance.
The season didn’t start easily for Hadjar, with a crash on the formation lap around Albert Park. The incident saw Hadjar in tears, comforted by Anthony Hamilton in a heartwarming moment caught by the cameras.
When asked about the incident, Hadjar admitted his love of racing pushes him to get back in the car and perform.
He said, “I think it’s the love for racing. Honestly, I just love it so much, and I’m just committed to it. That’s why a tough hit like Melbourne is not enough to bring me down. Because I love driving and giving my best.”
The Frenchman didn’t dwell on the accident for long. He got back in the VCARB02, and in Japan, he took an all-important eighth place.
High performance and expectations
Weekend after weekend, Hadjar has found himself on the cusp of points, with a level of consistency that has been astounding for the rookie.
He admitted that while he didn’t plan to come into F1 in his rookie season and prove a point, he hopes that his work is being recognised. He said, “That was not my goal, but I hope it’s visible.”
With the first five races happening in just six weeks, there hasn’t been much time for drivers or teams to take a step back and analyse the progress made. With a week’s break before Miami, it offers the perfect opportunity to regroup before the next triple header.
The Frenchman hopes to use the week’s break to asses where the weaknesses are in the RB machinery and come to Miami stronger.
“The first two races were just to learn and get in the rhythm. We had a triple header, so we didn’t have much time to analyse, but now we have a bit of a break, and we’ll make the most of it to understand our weakness.”
Lawson and Lindblad
While Hadjar started the season alongside Yuki Tsunoda, an early swap meant he’s now teammates with Liam Lawson. Not quite a rookie, but also in his first full season in Formula 1. After Miami Hadjar admitted, “Liam is finding his feet as well.”
With Lawson and Hadjar both being closer in experience levels than Hajdar and Tsunoda were. There is more pressure on the duo to constantly be outperforming each other.
Hadjar was asked if they push each other, and he told the media, “Honestly, this weekend he was really, really fast. In qualifying, he made the most of the car. He’s definitely getting stronger now, and definitely pushing me just like Yuki was pushing me as well.”
But Lawson isn’t Hadjar’s competition for a possible Red Bull seat and future within the team. There is also the growing situation of Arvid Lindblad. The 17-year-old Red Bull Junior who is currently competing in Formula 2.
While he’s not old enough yet to compete in Formula 1, He has enough super license points. Last weekend in Jeddah, he became the youngest ever F2 race winner.
Red Bull haven’t shied away from their hopes for Lindblad, with Helmut Marko going as far as to dub him the next Max Verstappen.
Hadjar was asked about the young Brit snapping at the heels of the Red Bull Formula 1 drivers, looking for an opportunity. Hadjar remained unbothered and told the media, “Honestly, my whole career I’ve only looked ahead.”
