Isack Hadjar was embarrassed after his pre-race crash in F1 Australian GP, as he notes what Anthony Hamilton said plus Yuki Tsunoda reflects on lost run.
Having had a solid run until the formation lap of F1 Australian GP, Visa Cash App RB’s Hadjar was focusing on securing points result in his first grand prix itself. But it wasn’t to be. He ran over the white paint at Turn 6 and spun off during the formation lap in a disaster.
He was distraught and crying under the helmet at the side of the track. It was same when he entered the paddock where he was greeted by Hamilton Sr. The Brit even visited the team after the race as such, with Hadjar revealing about a visit from F1 boss Stefano Domenciali too.
Speaking to media, Hadjar was still in sulken mood, wanting to recover well in this weekend’s Chinese GP. He felt he should have been in the grand prix and it was only a brief moment of lapse which cost him dearly. “I’m just embarrassed; I feel sorry for the team,” he said to media. “I just overdid it, overslipped the rears and once I lost the car, tried to save it, was just a passenger. It snapped so fast.
“I didn’t expect it. These mistakes they can happen, it’s just, breaking the carousel in the season really breaks my heart, really sorry for the team. I’m missing out on more experience. My first Grand Prix, missing out on a wet track. I wish I could be driving right now. I’m really looking forward to being in Shanghai. I think the speed is here, so I just can’t wait to hit the track next week,” summed up Hadjar.
The Frenchman recalled some bad moments in his career but ranked the Australia as his worst. There was no consolation as well that the likes of Jack Doohan and Carlos Sainz crashed as well. “I would say I’ve had similar moments, like low moments like this,” said Hadjar. “This one is tough. But my way to F1 was also quite brutal and I would say I have a strong chin. But this one definitely hits pretty hard.
“And, not at all, not at all. I would say my approach was not the right one and that’s it. We all know conditions are tricky and it can happen to anyone. But I didn’t want it to happen to me this early,” summed up Hadjar, who was happy to see support from Hamilton Sr and Domenicali, while noting what the duo said to him.
“It means a lot knowing that he knew where I was, how bad I felt, to go and see me in the worst moment ever,” said Hadjar. “I think it’s nice just from him. I really appreciate that. Yeah, [he said] just keep my head high and improve myself. I did well yesterday, nice stuff. Stefano came into my driver’s room and said similar things [to Hamilton]. It’s nice to feel the support from them. It’s nice.”
Red Bull consultant Marko wasn’t too pleased with Hadjar’s crying, but Red Bull team principal Horner was more kind to the Frenchman, applauding his efforts. “Isack Hadjar did a little bit of crying after his crash,” said Marko to ORF. “That was a bit embarrassing.”
Horner said: “It was quite heart-wrenching to see him so gutted. His first Grand Prix, I think the positives he needs to take out of it. When he reflects on the weekend, he performed very well through the practices and the qualifying. You forget that these guys are just kids, really. Obviously a lot of emotion for him today, but I think when he strips it back, there’s an awful lot of positives he can take out of the weekend. He’s got many bright days ahead of him.”
Even Hamilton Sr had good for Hadjar. “The thing is, as soon as I saw what happened to Isack, my heart fell and I just felt for him,” he said to Canal+. “It was just so sad to see, because I know how hard it is when these kids are eight years of age and they dream of becoming a Formula 1 race driver.
“There’s a lot of pressure all of the way up and you’re sitting on the grid for your first race and it doesn’t happen. That’s got to be the worst feeling in the world and I just felt for him. I just wanted to give him a hug. I felt for him like a father.”
Visa Cash App RB’s disappointment didn’t end there. Having looked strong in the Top 5, Tsunoda fell through in the second pit stop to drop outside the Top 10 and lose the points finish he was aiming at. The timing of the rain and the minor error in strategy cost them hugely, especially when their immediate rivals Williams, Aston Martin and Sauber scored heavy.
“The timing of the weather, when we came in was just the wrong timing,” said Tsunoda to media. “The weather didn’t come towards us, to be honest didn’t expect to have massive rain in Sector 1 as I am running, so I couldn’t understand more. It is something that we definitely have to discuss with the team but it is definitely very shame because until then we were fighting very-very strong and we almost scored massive points this weekend, so very disappointed.
“We were having a chat but it is kind of mixed. A lap before when I was in Sector 1, the rain wasn’t there and then suddenly a lap after the rain was heavy. With the dry tyre, there’s nothing I could do but those things are that I can’t see it, so definitely something to learn from the future as a team and we have to come back strong,” summed up Tsunoda.
Horner had some kind words for the Japanese’s drive too. “I thought Yuki again drove a very good race, I didn’t follow closely their decision making, going from slicks to inters, it looks like they perhaps missed the window with that bit,” he said.
“But Yuki…I had a look at one point, he was ahead of Charles Leclerc, driving very well. They have had a well balanced car this weekend, so I am sure they would be hoping for that to continue in China.”
Here’s spin for Isack Hadjar: https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-australian-grand-prix-rookie-hadjar-spins-out-of-maiden-race-on-the-formation-lap.1826729334308445890
Here’s how F1 Australian GP panned out
