For Isack Hadjar, the third French driver to compete in F1 this season, getting started is not easy. The Racing Bulls driver is torn between the joy of finally living his dream and the fear of not being up to par. A potent mix of confidence and doubt.
Isack Hadjar, the new French driver in Formula 1, is experiencing a peak of excitement and fear before the start of the season. At the Red Bull France headquarters in Paris, the man who will be Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate at Racing Bulls this year, is meeting with the media without batting an eye. It’s long, sometimes boring, but he knows it’s the price to pay as he will repeat many times during the interview. He is always smiling, especially when journalists or influencers he knows take their turn in the queue to ask him about his state of mind, his desires, his fears. His eyes even sparkle when he talks about his official debut.
Last year in Mexico, he said he had done the rounds in F2 and now only dreams of really starting in F1, whether it’s in Bahrain for the pre-season private tests (26-28 February) or for his first start in Melbourne on 16 March. The young man, 20 years old, is highly motivated and beneath the apparent calm he maintains for the gallery, one can sense the competitor who is bubbling and the driver who dreams of only one thing: driving a Formula 1, his F1, “his car” as he will joke. Here’s a look back at a frank discussion, where he hides nothing of his desires, his doubts, and his pleasure.
The Lightning-Fast Journey of Isack Hadjar
“What does this F1 driver life you dreamed of look like?”
It’s very busy. A bit tiring. My schedule is rather complicated but it’s going very well (big smile). I have a lot of travel and media and marketing operations. And I also had to manage my move to Faenza (team headquarters, close to Imola).
You still have a radiant smile….
Ah, but be careful, I’m not complaining. I’m over the moon and I love living what I’m living (long silence).
Have you digested the news of your appointment or are you still on cloud nine?
No, I’ve digested it a long time ago.
You learned the news well before us?
(He thinks). It was complicated and I was only 100% sure on the morning of the signing.”
Isack Hadjar: Living the Dream
Were there moments when you feared this might not happen, especially with the Colapinto rumors?
(He hesitates) There were moments when I had serious doubts, yes. Yes, doubts, but that’s in the past now (big smile).
Isack Hadjar
“Before, when I drove an F1, I had to return the car afterward. Now, it’s my car.”
So, are you relieved to have secured this position or scared to live your dream?
(A very long silence during which the press officer suggests moving on to the next question in front of the puzzled look of the driver) It’s complicated to answer that because…(he thinks again). Yes, I’m stressed but I know what I’m getting into. Of course, I feel a lot of pressure and at the same time, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel. At home, there’s excitement but also fear.
You made your debut last week during a run with an old car at Imola, right?
Yes. And it was great. Before, when I drove an F1, I had to return the car afterward. Now, it was my car (big smile). It’s not: I drive and I leave. No, no, now I go, I drive and it’s mine (he mimics with his finger). It’s awesome.
You’re now based in Faenza and we imagine you spend a lot of time at the factory. Do you already feel integrated?
Oh no. I’m working on it. I’m new, I need to meet the people I’m going to work with. I do a lot of team-building and I spend a lot of time with my engineer (Pierre Hamelin who used to work with Pierre Gasly). He came from Milton Keynes to be by my side.
You haven’t taken your first start yet, but do you already feel like a full-fledged driver?
Oh no, that’s why I moved. I wanted to give myself the best chance of making it. Before, I had never done this. As a Red Bull driver, I didn’t move like the old ones to Milton Keynes and I didn’t move to Campos (his team last year) for my last year of F2. Now, I’ve taken the initiative to move. I don’t want to have any regrets and want to put all the odds in my favor.
Isack Hadjar
“I don’t know what I’m getting into and at the same time I know what it’s going to be like. The feeling is so strange, fascinating, and scary.”
Preparing for the First Race in Melbourne
What do you still need to be ready to race in the first race in Melbourne on March 16?
(He sighs). That’s a complicated question. Technically, I’m missing a lot of data. For instance, I’ve never driven with 110 kg of fuel in the tank. I don’t know what that feels like… It’s simple, but I need to learn. I need experience. I’m a beginner, let’s not forget, and I want to arrive in Melbourne as prepared as possible.
Expectations for the Race
What result are you hoping for?
Well, Melbourne is a small track. It’s the first of the season (his eyes sparkle).
And you won in F2 last year…
Oh yes, that’s a very good memory. Well, I want a direct Q3 for the qualif and then I want direct points. I believe this track has never been harsh with the team’s cars.
End of Season Hopes
What do you hope to achieve by the end of the season?
We continue at the same pace: I would have signed several Q3s and I would have achieved my first podium. At the same time, it’s so vague, so monstrous. I don’t know what I’m getting into and at the same time, I know what it’s going to be. The feeling is so strange, fascinating. And scary.
Conversations with Fellow Racers
Have you been able to talk with Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, your two compatriots, about the pitfalls that await a beginner?
No, I haven’t had the time and when I talk with Pierre, we talk about things other than F1.
You know what people criticize you for…
(he interrupts the question). Yes, for being angry on the radio. It’s a flaw to people, but for me, it’s not important. I’m aware of what I’m doing and I know why I’m doing it. But I understand. We’re going to cut that out this year, that’s all. I’ll yell alone in my car and no one will hear.
Teammate Yuki Tsunoda
Your teammate Yuki Tsunoda also gets very angry when he drives. Have you discussed this?
He came to see me drive last week. He’s someone I appreciate a lot but no, we haven’t talked about that.
Working with Max Verstappen
You’re in Max Verstappen’s environment. Since you’ve been appointed, has he congratulated you?
(He laughs). No, but I know Max. He’s on another planet.
Do you see yourself as his teammate soon?
When I’m at the level for it, obviously. But not before.
And do you have a date for this transfer?
Absolutely not, in fact. As soon as I’m at the level, I want to go to Red Bull, but not before. This year, I’m learning.
