Hadjar Secures Maiden Podium at Dutch Grand Prix After Rocky Start
Isack Hadjar marked a triumphant turnaround in his Formula 1 career, clinching his first podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix after a challenging debut in Melbourne. The rookie driver for Racing Bulls faced adversity during the season opener, crashing out on the formation lap and leaving the track in tears. His first significant comeback was realized Sunday at Zandvoort, where he finished third after starting from fourth on the grid.
“I thought my life was over after Australia,” Hadjar reflected. “But bouncing back quickly is part of it. Finishing third is just… over the moon.”
Hadjar’s initial race weekend in the Netherlands bore a mix of cautious optimism. Despite his promising fourth-place qualifying performance, he felt uncertain about maintaining his position against seasoned competitors like Mercedes’ George Russell and the Ferraris. “I did not expect that waking up this morning,” he commented. “To cross the line third is just unreal.”
The race unfolded with Hadjar fending off challenges from Charles Leclerc early on. “I realized we had the car pace to fight for big points,” he noted. His perseverance paid off, especially after Lando Norris’s late retirement elevated Hadjar’s standing.
This result marks not only Hadjar’s first podium but also represents a milestone for new team principal Alan Permane. He expressed pride in both the team’s execution and Hadjar’s performance. “We had the pace; it became quite easy,” Permane stated. “He did exactly what we asked him to do.”
As the motorsport season progresses, Hadjar’s ability to leverage his first podium into sustained success will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
