In his debut year, French driver Isack Hadjar impressed everyone by showing speed, talent and strong racecraft. Among the four rookies who took part in the 2025 Formula 1 season, Hadjar clearly stood out as the most convincing. At the wheel of his Racing Bulls car, he proved that he belongs at this level, displaying raw pace and an aggressive approach that saw him rarely back down in wheel-to-wheel battles. Let’s look back, through a detailed analysis, at his remarkable first season in the top category of world motorsport.
Isack Hadjar: highlights of the 2025 season
Isack Hadjar’s Formula 1 adventure did not start in the best possible way. In Australia, under torrential rain, the Racing Bulls car number 6 hit the barriers on the formation lap, even before the lights went out. Isack was left in tears and was comforted by Lewis Hamilton’s father, while Helmut Marko reportedly began to question the choice that had been made.
From the following races onwards, however, the trend began to change. Isack Hadjar started to bring home valuable points, mixed with solid performances that often saw him just outside the top ten. His first major breakthrough came in Monaco, where he finished sixth thanks to an inspired team strategy. To see him take a major leap forward, it was necessary to wait until after the summer break. At Zandvoort, also taking advantage of Lando Norris’s retirement, Isack Hadjar secured his first Formula 1 podium, finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari. The final part of the season continued in the same direction, with more points and consistently impressive performances.
Difficulties and strengths: a tough team-mate…
There were inevitably some difficulties along the way, as is normal for a rookie. For example, in wet conditions he has not yet found the perfect feeling with the car, crashing out both in Melbourne and at Silverstone. Alongside these moments, however, there were several outstanding performances that highlighted his aggressiveness, exceptional defensive skills and his ability to manage pressure in every situation.
Comparison with Liam Lawson
At the end of the 24-race season, Isack Hadjar finished twelfth in the championship with 51 points. The comparison with his team-mate Liam Lawson clearly went in the Frenchman’s favour. The New Zealander ended the season in fourteenth place, 13 points behind Hadjar. There were only a few Grands Prix in which Lawson managed to finish ahead, although it should also be considered that his season was heavily affected by the early demotion back to Racing Bulls.
Hadjar’s 2026 season
The 2026 season will be completely different for Isack Hadjar. He will make the step up to the senior team alongside Max Verstappen, taking the seat in which no driver has managed to perform at the level of the four-time world champion. In his favour, beyond the talent that could allow him to get closer to Max, there is also the fact that 2026 will represent a fresh start for everyone. The cars will be completely new, and as a result, Verstappen’s advantage could be reduced, potentially giving Hadjar a unique opportunity to make an immediate impact.
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