The Australian weekend is not all dark for Red Bull.
If the Austrian team saw Max Verstappen abandon the Grand Prix on the fourth lap, and Sergio Perez only finish in the Top 5, it can be reassured that it already has a clear future.
And this future is a 19-year-old Frenchman: Isack Hadjar.
Impressive throughout the weekend, the member of the Red Bull Junior Team was on the verge of achieving the double in Formula 2. Although he crossed the line first in both races of the weekend, Hadjar was ultimately penalized this Saturday, made responsible for a collision at the start.
Finally classified 6th, he repeated his feat this Sunday with perfect management of the rain to achieve the first real victory of his career in Formula 2.
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“Finally, I didn't have to wait long to get back into first place,” laughed the main person concerned.
The last step on a clear path towards F1.
A path that began at five years old in the baby kart watching “Cars” and its hero Lightning McQueen on television.
Son of an endurance enthusiast, the Parisian by birth, Franco-Algerian, saw his destiny change on May 22, 2021.
Helmut Marko's little protégé
While he passed the classic stages without ever exploding in the eyes of the general public, it was a victory in Formula Regional in Monaco that changed everything.
The same evening, the man who idolizes Lewis Hamilton was offered a contract by his rival Red Bull's firm.
A proposal directly formulated by Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen's historical advisor.
Helmut Marko very talkative with Isack Hadjar via SMS 😂
What emoji should @IGK_Zack6 add at the end of his messages?
@Julien_FEBREAU, what do you suggest ❓
▶️ https://t.co/t7uFs3yVeh pic.twitter.com/y6CFHbCVlU
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) July 26, 2022
“I had already returned to my hotel when my manager at the time called me and informed me that Helmut Marko wanted to see me.
At first, I didn't believe it.
And then, I crossed the city to go to the Red Bull hotel,” says the young driver.
This is how the story began.
For his first season in F3, Hadjar is already fighting for the title, but will settle for the honorary title of rookie of the year.
Powered directly into F2 at Hitech GP, the passage into the antechamber of Formula 1 took time, and ended with a 14th place in the championship which in no way frightened Helmut Marko.
The 80-year-old Austrian, who appreciates him enormously, even gives him a very flattering nickname: “Little Prost”, particularly because of his small size (1.67 m).
“He really looks like him.”
He thought before answering.
He has a very good sense of humor.
and for the moment, it is less political,” explains Helmut Marko on Canal +.
It is the same Marko who is sending him for his first tests in 2023 in the premier category.
First in an Alpha Tauri near Mexico.
“I think he will soon be in Formula 1,” commented the boss at the time Franz Tost, congratulating him for his performances and his “technical feedback”.
Isack Hadjar, 19, was born in Paris.
Photo by Icon Sport 2024 Icon Sport
Then in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season in the RB19.
“The happiest day of my life,” he says on his radio.
Anyone who dreamed of staying only one year in F2 to go directly to F1 must for 2024 be content with a second season in the anteroom, at Campos Racing.
A vintage which begins perfectly with this first victory after only three races.
Before dreaming of F1 again?
13 drivers, including two from Racing Bulls, Red Bull's sister team, are at the end of their contracts and could potentially leave him a place for 2025.