Making your Formula One debut is always a nerve-wracking experience, but for Isack Hadjar, it was a day filled with highs and lows.
The 20-year-old Racing Bulls driver had an impressive qualifying session, securing 11th place on the grid for his first-ever F1 race.
However, his excitement quickly turned into disappointment when an unfortunate mistake on the formation lap ended his race before it even started.
The Costly Crash
As Hadjar navigated the wet Melbourne track, he lost control of his car after one of his tyres touched a slippery white painted line.
The conditions were already challenging due to the rain, and in a split second, his car spun out.
Unable to regain control, he crashed before even reaching the starting line, eliminating himself from the Australian Grand Prix.
With his hands on his head, Hadjar was visibly frustrated and disappointed as he walked back to the paddock.
It was a tough moment for the young driver, who had shown so much promise just a day earlier.
A Comforting Presence from Anthony Hamilton
As Hadjar processed the disappointment, a familiar figure approached him—Anthony Hamilton, the father of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Instead of letting the young driver dwell on the crash, Hamilton Sr. offered words of encouragement, putting his arm around Hadjar and staying by his side for the rest of the race.
“He told me to keep my head high and be proud, and that I did well yesterday. It was a nice gesture from him,” Hadjar shared with reporters.
Having someone with Hamilton’s experience in his corner was undoubtedly a comforting presence for the Red Bull junior driver.
Learning from the Experience
Hadjar didn’t shy away from taking responsibility for the incident, explaining that the tricky conditions made it difficult to control the car.
“I’m not great. I just lost the rear end of the car. These cars, in these conditions, they just snap so fast and it’s unsaveable. I couldn’t get the grip back. I tried to save it, but it was… yeah.”
He admitted that he was aware of the challenges even before the crash, saying, “I knew it was going to be tricky—even on the installation laps to the grid, I knew it was tricky, but it was driveable.”
Despite the setback, Hadjar was mostly concerned about letting down his team and those who had been supporting him.
“I’m just sorry for the team right now and my close ones watching the race. It’s just embarrassing.”
A Difficult Day for Racing Bulls
Hadjar’s crash wasn’t the only setback for Racing Bulls.
His teammate, who had started in sixth place, initially looked poised for a solid finish.
However, as the race progressed and rain created unpredictable conditions, he struggled on slick tyres and ultimately dropped to 12th place.
It was a disappointing outcome for the team, but a valuable learning experience for both drivers.
What’s Next for Hadjar?
Despite the tough debut, Hadjar has already shown promise, and with the right mindset, he can bounce back stronger in the next race.
With the support of experienced figures like Anthony Hamilton and his own determination to improve, the young driver still has plenty of opportunities ahead.
The key now is to learn from the experience, put this race behind him, and focus on making his mark in the upcoming races.