Isack Hadjar has settled into Formula 1 with the kind of self-belief that doesn’t waver — even after one of the most painful debuts imaginable. “If I believe I’m good, I’m good. And that’s the end of the story,” the Frenchman says, reflecting on a rookie season that began with disaster but never derailed his confidence.
In an exclusive interview this week, Hadjar opened up about his journey from that crushing formation lap crash in Australia 2025 to finding his footing in the sport’s most demanding environment. At 21, he’s learned to wear his heart on his sleeve without letting setbacks spiral — a trait that sets him apart from some of his former Red Bull junior colleagues who struggled with the pressure.
The Australia Crash and Moving Forward
Hadjar’s F1 career got off to an inauspicious start when he crashed out on the formation lap in Australia last year. The 21-year-old cut a despondent figure afterwards, admitting he felt “terrible” and that he’d let down Racing Bulls, his family, and himself.
But rather than letting that painful weekend embed itself in his psyche, Hadjar compartmentalised the mistake and moved on immediately. That mental resilience — the ability to process failure without being consumed by it — has become one of his defining characteristics as he navigates the treacherous waters of the Red Bull programme.
The Daunting Second Seat
Hadjar’s trajectory puts him on a collision course with one of F1’s most challenging assignments: the seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. The three-time world champion’s dominance has made that second seat a graveyard for promising careers, with drivers struggling to match his pace and often crumbling under the pressure.
Yet Hadjar’s confidence appears unshakeable. His approach is simple: back himself, trust his ability, and refuse to be intimidated by reputation or circumstance. It’s a mindset that Red Bull will be watching closely as they evaluate their options for the future.
Living His Best Life
What stands out about Hadjar is that he genuinely appears to be enjoying himself. Despite the pressure of the Red Bull system and the scrutiny that comes with every F1 seat, he looks like someone living his dream rather than enduring a trial. That joy, combined with his mental toughness, could be exactly what’s needed to thrive in one of motorsport’s most unforgiving environments.
As the 2026 season progresses, Hadjar will continue building his case for promotion. His next opportunity to impress comes at the Miami Grand Prix, running from May 1-3, where the spotlight on Red Bull’s future plans will only intensify.