Rookie Isack Hadjar delivers a standout drive in Japan, securing crucial points for Racing Bulls in a fiercely competitive Suzuka showdown.
Racing Bulls scored their first points of the season this Sunday, thanks to an impressive drive from Isack Hadjar, who finished eighth in just his third Formula 1 race. Meanwhile, teammate Liam Lawson placed 17th on his return to the grid.
Team Principal Laurent Mekies couldn’t hide his admiration for Hadjar’s performance at the notoriously demanding Suzuka circuit.
“A strong Sunday in Suzuka. It was an exceptional weekend, especially for Isack, P7 in qualifying and P8 in the race, holding off some seriously fast cars behind him,” Mekies said. “To deliver that kind of result on such a challenging track, in only his third Grand Prix, is truly remarkable.”
Hadjar ran a flawless race, completing all 53 laps with consistency and maturity beyond his experience.
“He showed exactly why he belongs in F1,” Mekies added. “He executed every lap perfectly with the team, and these first points are a great reward. The car has been performing well all weekend, and that gives us confidence heading into the next rounds. But development will be crucial, every team is pushing hard, and we know we’ll need to do the same to stay in the fight.”
As for Liam Lawson, there were positive takeaways too, even if the result didn’t show it.
“Liam had to adapt to the car during the race weekend itself, with only three practice sessions to get up to speed,” Mekies explained. “He missed Q3 by just a tenth, which shows the potential. With such a tight field and no race incidents to shake things up, it was tough to move forward. But with a full race under his belt, we’re confident he’ll make a step in Bahrain.”
Racing Bulls’ Head of Performance, Guillaume Dezoteux, echoed Mekies’ thoughts, commending the team’s execution and Hadjar’s control.
“It was a solid race from the whole team. Isack stayed focused, managed his tires well, and brought home a well-earned eighth place and four valuable points,” Dezoteux said.
“We tried a longer first stint with Liam to catch any opportunities, but with no drama in the race, he finished 17th in a tight pack.”
After tough outings in Australia and China, where strategy calls cost them potential results, Suzuka marks a clear step forward for Racing Bulls.
“This result reflects a competitive weekend from Friday to Sunday and gives everyone a boost heading into Bahrain,” Dezoteux concluded.
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Hadjar Shines in Suzuka as Racing Bulls Break Point Drought
Hadjar Shines in Suzuka as Racing Bulls Break Point Drought