Isack Hadjar Achieves an Unexpected Podium Finish at the Dutch Grand Prix
Young driver Isack Hadjar described his first podium in Formula 1 as “unreal” after securing third place in the Dutch Grand Prix.
Hadjar, 20 years old, shared the Zandvoort podium with race winner Oscar Piastri and second-place finisher Max Verstappen, following his best weekend as a Racing Bulls driver.
Starting from fourth on the grid, Hadjar withstood the initial pressure from Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and George Russell’s Mercedes, before benefiting from Lando Norris’s retirement to move up to third place.Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in Formula 1 with the Racing Bulls team and new boss Alan Permane (R).“It feels a bit unreal,” commented Hadjar. “What surprised me the most was holding that fourth place throughout the race.”
“Unfortunately for Lando, we took advantage of his problem, but yes, we made no mistakes. The car was on rails all weekend, and I am very happy with myself because I really maximized what I had.”
“I made no mistakes and took the podium home. So yes, I am very happy for my guys.”
Hadjar’s F1 career started promisingly and has since scored points in seven races for Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls.
“After what happened in Australia, in the car, obviously, I thought my life was over, but then you realize it can happen and you recover very quickly from that,” he said.
“Then, to have a podium without too many miracles and without much happening in front, no, I didn’t expect it, especially so quickly in the season.”
“Finishing fourth with a pure rhythm would have been a great result. But finishing third, I’m over the moon.”
Hadjar’s podium is the first for Racing Bulls since Pierre Gasly finished third at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, when the team was called AlphaTauri.
