Isack Hadjar Highlights 'Risk' Approach and Surprising F1 Qualifying Pace

Isack Hadjar, in his rookie F1 season with Racing Bulls, has identified his qualifying pace as the biggest surprise, exceeding his own expectations. Despite a disastrous start in Australia, Hadjar's aggressive approach has paid dividends, outqualifying teammate Liam Lawson in a majority of their head-to-head battles.

Why it matters:

After securing the runner-up spot in last season's Formula 2 championship, Hadjar's transition to F1 has been under close scrutiny. His ability to quickly adapt and demonstrate strong one-lap pace, especially against a highly-rated teammate like Liam Lawson, signals his potential as a future F1 contender. This early success in qualifying could be crucial for his long-term career prospects in the sport.

The Details:

• Hadjar joined Racing Bulls this year after a strong F2 campaign, where he finished as the vice-champion.
• His F1 debut in Australia was cut short by a spin on the formation lap, preventing him from even starting the race.
• Despite the rocky start, he has since shown impressive form, including a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
• When asked about what surprised him most, Hadjar pointed to his "pace... just pace-wise [in] qualifying," noting it was "more competitive than I expected."
• Paired with Liam Lawson for all but two rounds, Hadjar holds a significant qualifying advantage, outpacing Lawson 13-5 in their one-lap head-to-head battles.
• Hadjar attributes this success to a deliberate "risk" approach to extracting pace, a strategy he consciously adopted.
• He stated, "I like taking risks and I know that when it pays off, it pays off big time. But on the other hand, when it's not paying off, it can be really brutal and frustrating. But we have been happy so far."

The Big Picture:

Hadjar's performance underscores the high stakes and aggressive strategies often employed by rookie drivers eager to make an impression. His willingness to push the limits, coupled with an inherent one-lap speed, positions him as a driver to watch. This daring approach, while carrying inherent risks, has so far served him well in differentiating himself within a competitive F1 junior landscape and within the Racing Bulls team.

What's next:

As Hadjar continues his rookie season, the focus will be on maintaining this strong qualifying performance while also translating it into consistent race results. His ability to manage the "risk" inherent in his approach will be key to avoiding costly errors and cementing his reputation as a formidable talent capable of thriving in Formula 1's demanding environment.