One of the biggest shocks of the 2025 Formula 1 season was Isack Hadjar, who was called the most impressive rookie by the paddock, along with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. We spent the Imola weekend with Hadjar to discover his true nature. He arrived softly, letting other rookies shine. Isack Hadjar became a full-time Formula 1 driver without a junior championship, which he tackles in his own words: short, well chosen, straight to the point.
For a young driver, impressing is key. You can win a title, but you won't succeed unless you impress people. Hadjar impressed enough to go into F1 at 20 and fast convince his supporters that Isack was worth it.
Pole position earned Hadjar an unexpected Formula Regional support race win at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. He returned to a little flat he had rented with his previous manager for the weekend after the race.
“We had just entered when my trainer said he got a call: ‘Helmut Marko wants to meet you. Thinking he was kidding, I told him to go lost. He persisted, and I realized it was serious. I responded, ‘OK, when?’ He said, ‘Now! They hurried to Marko's hotel without a cab. We were sweaty when we arrived. Helmut stood in the lobby. We sat down and it was easy. He told me, "I'll send you a contract." End of story. I found it unusual at first, then I realized it works.
From Faenza To Grid
Hadjar resides in Faenza, near the Racing Bulls squad that signed him last winter. I like it to Milton Keynes, although I rarely stay home. I returned from Melbourne soon before Imola. If there are free days, I spend them in the Milton Keynes simulator between races. Hadjar concentrates when listening. His gaze wanders while he talks, but it returns to his final sentence.
He's calm before his first European racing weekend as an F1 driver. The Imola circuit is 15km from his Faenza home. His meticulous packing and double-checking of his backpack reflect his accuracy and discipline in judo, which he practices whenever feasible. When ready, he asks, “Shall we go?
A Dedication-roots Story
Always with him are his parents. His parents are quantum scientist Yassine and public business HR director Randa, who manages Isack's career. “My family is Algerian. My parents arrived to France alone at 19 and worked hard to build everything. In his field, Yassine is respected, and Isack's helmet's formulas honor him.
He put me in a rental kart when I was five, and I was terrified. He enrolled me in a biweekly Sunday seminar outside Paris two years later. The teacher informed my dad, "Your son is good." Buy him a kart and let him race.
Initially, dad Yassine visited the kart racetrack. “He hates mechanics, but he became my mechanic for me. He gave me all his spare time—track weekends, lengthy drives. Once I started seeing results, things got serious and my mother intervened. Randa raised the cash for Isack to go into single-seaters with her professional network.
Growing Career, Anchored Mindset
Randa now follows him into the Imola paddock, one step behind. Thursday is media day. Hadjar started his routine earlier: simulator work on Tuesday, a Faenza team meeting with Liam Lawson on Wednesday.
In between interviews, he checks his phone for football footage, MMA highlights, and junior category qualifying practices. He follows various sports, is pals with Fabio Quartararo, and supports PSG. As an F1 driver, some of his goals are coming true, but he's grounded.
I always wanted to do this. Only that dreams don't have boring elements like unending travel. My dad told me to cherish boredom as a kid. I thought, "What are you talking about? I want to race, play football, and socialize. I realize now that I miss calm home days. The schedule is unrelenting. I was exhausted after being ill last week. "I love driving, especially in qualifying—Q1, Q2, Q3. Every tenth matters, and they are amazing times. I wish I could live two lives: one with my friends and one racing. But I know I can't have both."
The Repetition-hating Rookie
Friday media is light. Saturday starts at the Paddock Club. As usual, Isack departs hospitality with his media minder Andrea Saveri, heading across the field with headphones. French rap is my main genre, however it depends on the mood. Hadjar may appear restless. However, spending time with him reveals that such motions are part of his self-regulation system, his method of zoning in and switching on for driving or technical briefings.
“I know how important the technical side is,” he adds before qualifying in the garage. Initially difficult, I now like that portion of the work. I've learned how much you can change outside the automobile. I have plenty of room to develop. I utilize my brain. My father was a quantum physicist who studied his whole life. I hope I have some of his skills. I've learnt that during a race, I'm not only pushing the vehicle, but my engineers' main sensor.
No Phone Contact, No Confirmation just Feeling
A few months ago, Hadjar wasn't in F1. Now everything moves rapidly. Did I believe? Always! I wouldn't have raced otherwise. I always believed—even in the worst.In a curious twist, Hadjar was never officially announced as an F1 driver in 2025. I was never offered a Formula 1 driving job. Helmut dislikes good news, he laughs.
