Hadjar Transforms Australian Tears into Zandvoort Podium: 'I Thought My Life Was Over'

Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar achieved his maiden Formula 1 podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking an incredible turnaround from a dramatic debut earlier this season.

Why it matters:

Isack Hadjar experienced a rollercoaster start to his 2025 season, moving from the brink of despair after a crash at the Australian Grand Prix to a “miracle” third-place finish at Zandvoort. This podium not only showcases his immense talent but also his remarkable mental fortitude and ability to bounce back under pressure.

The big picture:

The 20-year-old made his F1 debut in Melbourne, where challenging rainy conditions led to a crash on the formation lap, preventing him from completing even a single lap. This incident left Hadjar in tears, prompting comments from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. However, just 15 races into his rookie season, Hadjar leveraged a P4 start at Zandvoort into a stunning P3 finish, making him the fifth youngest driver in F1 history to achieve a podium.

Hadjar's perspective:

Reflecting on his journey, Hadjar shared his initial despair and surprise at his rapid success:

• "After what happened in Australia, in the car, obviously, I thought my life was over. But then you realise it can happen, and you bounce back very quickly from that."
• "To have a podium without too many miracles and not much going on ahead, I didn’t expect it, especially that fast in the season."
• "Already finishing fourth on pure pace would have been a mighty result. But finishing third, I’m just over the moon."

Race details:

Hadjar's success at Zandvoort was a testament to his strategic driving and composure. He maintained his P4 starting position effectively and capitalized on Lando Norris's retirement. He skillfully defended against formidable rivals like Charles Leclerc and George Russell, proving his capability to compete at the sharp end of the grid.

• "I was being realistic and was honestly aiming for big points. That was the target."
• "I knew it would be very hard to fight Ferrari and Mercedes. But it was more like towards the last 20 laps, I thought if anything happens at the front, then I’m on a podium position. And when Lando had the issue, I knew I was going to finish there."
• "Thankfully, I had an okay start to keep fourth and from there, on the opening laps, I knew Charles would be trying to go for the move, which he did. I was really comfortable on the brakes, made sure I defended the right way, and that’s what we did."

What's next:

This debut podium cements Hadjar's position as a rising star in Formula 1 and raises expectations for his continued development and future performances with Racing Bulls.