Isack Hadjar delivered the surprise of the Dutch Grand Prix qualifying, securing a career-best P4 start. His exceptional performance saw him out-qualify both Ferraris and Mercedes drivers, marking a significant moment for the young Frenchman.
Why it matters:
Hadjar's P4 is not just a personal best; it signals a potential shift in the Red Bull junior driver hierarchy. It underscores his remarkable progress this season and positions him as a serious contender for a future F1 seat with the main team.
The Big Picture:
Hadjar, a rookie in F1 this season, has steadily impressed, previously achieving a P6 in Monaco. This P4 at Zandvoort, a demanding circuit, significantly outshines his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson, who finished Q3 three-tenths behind. This consistent gap suggests Hadjar might have even more untapped pace.
Telemetry Breakdown:
A detailed comparison of Hadjar's and Lawson's Q3 laps reveals the precision behind Hadjar's performance:
- Sector 1 Dominance: Hadjar displayed superior braking and cornering in Turns 1, 2, and 3, gaining almost two-tenths by the end of the first sector.
- Turn 7 Confidence: In the fast, challenging Turn 7, Hadjar lifted off the throttle significantly less than Lawson, who momentarily applied the brakes – a key factor in the time difference.
- Lawson's Strength: Lawson's best section was Turn 10, where he managed to maintain a higher minimum speed through the apex, mitigating some of his deficit.
- Clean Finish: Hadjar executed a cleaner final sector, carrying more speed through the final corner and onto the main straight.
Crucially, Hadjar was the only driver in the top 10 whose fastest lap was composed of all his best sector times combined, demonstrating his ability to deliver a perfect lap when it mattered most, despite constantly shifting winds that challenged other top drivers.
What's Next:
Holding P4 in the race will be a formidable challenge for Hadjar. The Racing Bulls car may not match the race pace of Mercedes or Ferrari, and his P4 grid slot on the inside line at Turn 1 is not ideal, especially with an aggressive George Russell alongside him. Additionally, a lack of long-run data from FP2 due to a mechanical issue leaves his true race pace an unknown.
However, this performance has undoubtedly put Hadjar in the spotlight. With Yuki Tsunoda's ongoing struggles in the main Red Bull seat, Hadjar is making the strongest case among Red Bull junior drivers for a future promotion. This season's second half promises more growth and thrilling battles from these young talents.