Isack Hadjar will drive for Racing Bulls in Formula 1 in the 2025 season – When the 20-year-old Frenchman found out about it and why he was still unsure until the end
A dream has come true for Isack Hadjar: After Sergio Perez was dropped and Liam Lawson was promoted, the 20-year-old Frenchman was announced as the new regular driver at Racing Bulls last Friday. But Hadjar knew much earlier that he would be driving in Formula 1 next year!
“To be honest, I knew halfway through the season what was going on,” the French-Algerian dual national told Canal+. However, this year’s Formula 2 driver only signed his contract much later, so the 2024 season was a rollercoaster ride for him. ”There were moments when I was very close to the announcement…”
But “you know how it is in this sport, everything happens very, very quickly,” the new Racing Bulls pilot recalls. “Then next year you’re more likely to be in the reserve role.” And so Hadjar couldn’t be sure until the contract was signed and the official announcement was made on Friday.
“I was able to show that I have the level”
“In fact, it was a bit of a yo-yo with my emotions,” smiles the 20-year-old, who is known for his venomous radio messages in Formula 2. ”But I was able to stay focused, perform well and show that I have the level to get into Formula 1.”
However, his season in Formula 2 was not entirely perfect – in the end, Hadjar only came in second behind Sauber newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto! But that doesn’t seem to have mattered to the people in charge at Red Bull, because the deal with the Frenchman was wrapped up before the penultimate race in Qatar.
“I found out in Qatar that I was coming to Formula 1,” revealed Hadjar, who almost let the cat out of the bag at a press conference in Qatar, hinting that he would be moving up to the premier class in 2025. “Before that, it was as good as certain, but until you’ve signed something, it’s [not certain].”
Formula 1 is “a cutthroat business”
“It’s such a cutthroat and tough business that you always think…”, the 20-year-old alludes to the fact that until a contract is finalized, there is no complete certainty about the promised Formula 1 cockpit.
And even after he learned in Qatar that he would get the cockpit at Racing Bulls next year, he still wasn’t sure. “Until I signed, I thought, damn, something will still happen,” the Frenchman admits.
“I really wasn’t sure until two or three days before I signed. You just have to sign the paperwork, because you never know with these people.” But now Hadjar can look forward to his debut in Formula 1.
