The 2025 Formula 1 grid is set to welcome a fresh face, and it’s one that has been turning heads in the junior categories for years. Isack Hadjar, the 20-year-old French-Algerian racer, is making his F1 debut with RB this season. It follows Red Bull’s major switch-up with the exit of Sergio Perez.
Isack Hadjar was the final driver to be confirmed for 2025, with a history within the Red Bull family under his wing — and it came after strong rumours that Franco Colapinto could get a seat at Racing Bulls F1.
With Colapinto signing for Alpine F1 as a reserve in the end as Red Bull’s interest faded following crashes in Las Vegas and Interlagos, Hadjar should face no threat from him now.
Despite climbing the ranks from F4 to F2, his 2023 F2 campaign was a mixed bag, and Hadjar ended the year without a win, leaving some to question his future.
Following practice outings in the F1 cars, Hadjar returned to F2 and in 2024, he claimed four wins, narrowly missing out on the championship title. However, he bagged what every driver wants, an F1 seat.
Biggest learnings
With the season kicking off in Melbourne next month, Hadjar was asked about his preparation for his first F1 Grand Prix, and what he still needs to do to be ready for the race.
“Tough question,” he said to L’Equipe.
“Technically, I’m missing a lot of data. For example, I’ve never driven with 110 kg of fuel in the tank. I don’t know what that feels like. It’s a small thing, but I need to learn.
“I need experience. I’m a rookie—let’s not forget that. I just want to be as prepared as possible for Melbourne.”
Setting big goals for Melbourne and the year ahead after F2 success
Melbourne holds special significance for Hadjar, who won there in F2 last year. It was his first in the category. In fact, it would have been a double but he got a 10-seccond time penalty. That was because of a collision at the start of the Sprint.
He’s aiming to make Q3 and score points in Melbourne.
“Oh yes, that’s a great memory,” he said.
“I want to go straight into Q3 in qualifying and score points in the race. I think this track has always been kind to our team’s cars.”
Looking ahead to the season as a whole, Hadjar keeps the big targets coming.
“I’ll keep the same mindset: I’ll have reached several Q3s and secured my first podium,” he said.
“At the same time, everything is so uncertain, so massive. I don’t know what I’m getting into, yet I do. The feeling is so strange, fascinating, and terrifying.”
The unknowns before finally securing a seat
Hadjar’s journey to securing his F1 seat was far from straightforward, and when asked if he knew about his promotion before the media did, he said, “It was complicated, and I was only 100% sure on the morning of the signing.”
Before the signing of Isack Hadjar was confirmed, many rumours spread about the potential move of Franco Colapinto to RB F1. This led to moments where he properly questioned if he would make it.
“There were moments when I had serious doubts, yes,” he admitted. “But that’s in the past now.
“Before, when I drove an F1 car, I had to return it. Now, it’s my car.”
For any rookie, making the step up to F1 is a dream come true, but it’s also a major change.
“Yes, I’m stressed, but I know what I’ve gotten myself into. Of course, I feel a lot of pressure, and at the same time, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel. I feel both excitement and fear.”
With Melbourne just around the corner, it won’t be long until we see what this rookie can do.
Co-author: Syrine Ferchichi
