Rookie Isack Hadjar sets his sights on Tsunoda while adapting to F1’s intensity, describing his Racing Bulls car as “f***ing fast.”
Isack Hadjar is far from being the only rookie in F1 this year: Gabriel Bortoleto, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and Jack Doohan, not to mention the ‘quasi-rookies’ such as Oliver Bearman or even Liam Lawson, indicate that a new generation is gradually taking over in F1.
“The current level highlights the fact that our generation is really strong,” Hadjar told Motorsport Week.
“We have talent. And I’m happy to race against drivers I’ve already competed with in the past. I know how they behave, how they drive. It makes things easier.”
Although he hasn’t logged as many private test laps as Antonelli or Bearman, Hadjar put in significant mileage with his Racing Bulls during Bahrain’s winter testing, completing a total of 243 laps at the Sakhir International Circuit—the second-highest tally after Esteban Ocon at Haas.
“Even looking at my Wednesday session, I felt comfortable with everything,” Hadjar asserted. “I didn’t feel like it was my first day. I adapt very quickly, and I’m ready to keep going.”
When asked if he learns fast, he answered bluntly: “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
What are his impressions of an F1 car? The biggest difference compared to F2?
“It’s f***ing fast,” he blurts out. “For now, that’s all I can say.”
So does he have no clue about the speed of his Racing Bulls after winter testing?
“I don’t have enough F1 experience to judge whether it’s an incredible car or not. I don’t know if it’s supposed to feel like a McLaren—I have no reference. But for me, it’s fast.”
Tsunoda, a respected teammate… but also a rival
Hadjar has little to lose this year: if he doesn’t beat Yuki Tsunoda, no one will hold it against him; if he does, he’ll make a strong impression.
The Frenchman is eager to go up against his experienced teammate.
“Being in the Red Bull program, I followed his entire journey to F1,” Hadjar explains. “I watched him progress, and I’ve always respected him. Now, being his teammate is great. He’s a good guy, and we get along well.”
“He’s the only driver with the same car as me,” he points out.
“At the end of the season, he’s the one I can compare myself to. And it’s no surprise—I want to be faster. But I have to be realistic. At the start of the season, I have no experience. So I’ll need to stay focused and learn from him.”
Hadjar will also have to contend with a demanding yet thrilling calendar. The circuits he’s most looking forward to are, unsurprisingly, among the grid’s favorites.
“Japan, in F1. Brazil too. These are two circuits I absolutely want to experience. And Monaco, in F1—I think it’s just ridiculous.”
Hadjar will finally race in a stunning white livery, which he discovered almost at the same time as the public!
“I had seen the car on my phone, but I had never seen the livery,” he admits. “Even at the factory, the car was still bare, so I couldn’t really get a sense of how it would look. And when I saw it, I just thought it was f***ing cool. Yuki started it—he posted the photo of my shocked face, and that was it. It wasn’t planned, just a completely natural reaction.”
- Discover More>Montoya: Verstappen Would Rather Crash Than Let You Win
- Follow us on >Facebook and >Twitter for F1 updates
Blistering Speed? Hadjar Weighs In on Racing Bulls’ Pace Blistering Speed? Hadjar Weighs In on Racing Bulls’ Pace Blistering Speed? Hadjar Weighs In on Racing Bulls’ Pace
