Nicknamed “Little Prost,” Isack Hadjar combines sharp thinking and raw speed to emerge as Formula 1’s brightest new sensation in 2025.
The Racing Bulls driver, who proudly holds both French and Algerian nationalities, has impressed right from the start. Scoring his first points early on, Hadjar has consistently matched, and sometimes even outpaced, teammate Yuki Tsunoda in the opening races and now Liam Lawson.
“I feel like I’m representing two countries,” Hadjar told Reuters.
“I’m the first Arab driver ever to reach Formula 1. It’s a huge deal, but no one really talks about it. Still, it’s something I’m proud of.”
Inside the Red Bull camp, Helmut Marko hasn’t hidden his excitement:
“Hadjar is the surprise of the season,” the Red Bull advisor said. “He’s calm, focused, and he’s built for the future.”
Marko affectionately nicknamed Hadjar “Little Prost,” a nod to four-time world champion Alain Prost.
“I used to bite my nails,” Hadjar laughed. “And Helmut said, ‘Yeah, just like Prost.’ That was it. Honestly, I don’t mind, Prost is a legend. As a kid, I idolized Ayrton Senna, but the older I get, the more I appreciate Alain.
When you’re young, it’s all about speed and bright colors, you see Ayrton, and it’s like, ‘Wow!’ Later, you start to admire drivers like Prost and even Lewis Hamilton for what they achieve beyond pure speed.”
Hadjar believes Prost’s legacy is still underrated.
“I think people underestimate just how incredible his career was.
I’m not claiming to be a genius, but my dad always pushed me to use my head, think first, drive second. That mindset really makes a difference, especially away from the track.”
Still, Hadjar’s fiery side hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last year in Formula 2, he made headlines for some heated radio outbursts.
“In F2, you’re fighting for your life to reach F1. You’re basically a customer at the team, and when things go wrong, you get emotional, you say what you think on the radio,” he explained.
“F1 is completely different. You’re paid to drive. It’s the coolest job in the world. You don’t yell at people, it’s just not done.”
And when emotions run high?
“If I need to scream, I scream inside my helmet,” he smiled. “But I never press the radio button to say something stupid.”
- Discover More>Leclerc: Hamilton Brings a ‘Very Different’ Work Approach to Ferrari
- Follow us on >FACEBOOK and >TWITTERfor F1 update
Little Prost: How Isack Hadjar Is Stamping His F1 Mark Little Prost: How Isack Hadjar Is Stamping His F1 Mark
- Albon Blames Past Struggles on Car, Not His Driving
- Cadillac Eyes Perez, Zhou and Bottas for 2026 F1 Lineup
- “Nobody in the US knew what F1 was when I raced” – Scott Speed
- Aston Martin F1 opens its production secrets to us
- Why 2026 Will Redefine Overtaking and Racing in Formula 1