Isack Hadjar Highlights Biggest Surprise Over 'Risk' F1 Approach

Formula 1, Sportrik Media – Isack Hadjar, racer for Racing Bulls, has described his qualifying pace as the biggest surprise of his rookie Formula 1 season in 2025. Despite a challenging start to his career, Hadjar's consistent performances have positioned him as a potential candidate for promotion to Red Bull next year, as revealed in an exclusive interview with media outlets in November 2025.

As a French driver who recently joined the Red Bull junior squad after finishing as runner-up in the Formula 2 Drivers' Championship the previous season, Hadjar entered the F1 arena with high expectations. However, his debut at the Albert Park Circuit in Australia unfolded dramatically when a spin on the formation lap eliminated him before the race even began. Nevertheless, Hadjar's swift transition to the elite competition's rhythm demonstrated remarkable adaptability. Throughout the remainder of the season, he secured a third-place podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in August 2025, an achievement that not only solidified his standing within the team but also captured the attention of industry observers.

In a detailed analysis of his performance, Hadjar specifically highlighted the qualifying aspect as the element that exceeded his expectations. "Pace. Just pace-wise [in] qualifying, [I have] been more competitive than I expected," he told media, including RacingNews365, during a post-race press conference in Abu Dhabi. The 21-year-old driver's adopted bold approach involved calculated risk-taking, which ultimately yielded a head-to-head advantage over his teammate, Liam Lawson. Across the 18 rounds of the season where Lawson missed only two events Hadjar led 13-5 in qualifying sessions, a statistic that reflects his efficiency in extracting the maximum potential from the RB21 car.

This risky strategy, while proven effective, has not been without consequences. Hadjar acknowledged that when the approach falters, the impact can be "really brutal and frustrating." Yet, he emphasized having no regrets about his choice. "I like taking risks and I know that when it pays off, it pays off big time," he added, signaling a racing philosophy aligned with the aggressive ethos of Racing Bulls under the guidance of Christian Horner, principal of Red Bull. From an analytical standpoint, Hadjar's success can be attributed to his F2 background, where he was accustomed to managing high-pressure situations to secure pole positions. Furthermore, technical support from engineers like Pierre Waché, Red Bull's race engineer, has enabled the optimization of car setups that complement his daring driving style.

Moreover, Hadjar's performance extends beyond mere numbers to his contributions to team dynamics. By consistently outperforming Lawson, he has proven his added value to Red Bull's talent development program, renowned for its rapid promotion pathways as seen with Max Verstappen. Season data analysis reveals that Hadjar's average qualifying gap to Lawson was just 0.2 seconds, a slim margin indicating tight intra-team competition. This, combined with his Dutch podium where he finished behind the leading duo via a brilliant pit-stop strategy reinforces the narrative that Hadjar is more than a rookie driver; he is a strategic long-term asset.

At this juncture, as the 2025 season nears its conclusion, Hadjar's accomplishments have sparked speculation about a larger role at Red Bull Racing. The risky approach he has embraced, though demanding, has delivered results surpassing expectations, serving as an example for young drivers navigating the transition to F1. Looking ahead, prospects for promotion to the senior squad appear increasingly realistic, particularly amid Red Bull's need for roster depth in the fierce rivalry with Ferrari and McLaren. Sportrik Media will continue to monitor these developments, as Hadjar holds the potential to become a new catalyst in Red Bull's era of dominance.