Isack Hadjar was being realistic ahead of F1 Dutch GP as he reflects on unthinkable podium and getting one after what transpired in the first race in Australia.
After a dismal Friday, Visa Cash App RB’s Hadjar surprised everyone with a fourth place finish in F1 Dutch GP qualifying. It came out of nowhere as he set a lap time quicker than both Mercedes and Ferrari cars and one of the Red Bull. He was firmly in the podium mix from the get go.
Despite the pace, Hadjar was going by realistic terms pre-race. He didn’t think about a podium, even though he had it in one corner of his mind. The big task of keeping George Russell and the pair of Ferrari was the first hurdle. And he did so with ease despite the push from Charles Leclerc at times.
After Lewis Hamilton crashed out and Leclerc had his incident with Russell and also with Antonelli, Hadjar was given some breathing space. The safety car re-starts did not make it easy, especially in the last stint when he had a determined Russell along with Alexander Albon chasing him.
He managed to hold them off and a late DNF for Lando Norris helped Hadjar score his first podium. “I mean, outstanding day,” he said. “I did not expect that waking up this morning. I was being very realistic. I knew there was George behind me and both Ferraris. Also didn’t run on Friday, any long run, so I didn’t have a clue. So, to cross the line third is just unreal.
“There’s more than one person [to thank], obviously. First of all, my parents, my mum and my dad. And more sporting wise, Helmut who gave me this shot. I remember four years ago he signed me back in FRECA it was and he gave me a path, a trajectory, and I’m actually following it pretty well right now. As I said, I was being realistic and was honestly aiming for big points. That was the target.
“I knew it would be very hard to fight Ferrari and Mercedes. But it was more like towards the last 20 laps I thought if anything happens at the front, then I’m on a podium position. And when Lando had the issue, I knew I was going to finish there,” summed up Hadjar, who expanded on keeping Russell off along with Leclerc and staying with Max Verstappen all-through the grand prix.
“Yeah, it was very tricky,” continued Hadjar. “Thankfully I had an okay start to keep fourth and from there, on the opening laps, I knew Charles would be trying to go for the move, which he did. I was really comfortable on the brakes, made sure I defended the right way and that’s what we did. Once I was holding him for a while, I realised that we had the car pace to fight for big points.
“Towards the end of the race I thought if anything happens at the front, actually I’m on a podium finish position, and that’s what happened. It feels great. Max is someone I’ve been looking up to since my junior days. The last five years have been outstanding. To share the track, spend most of the race behind him, being within two or three seconds the whole time, and share my first podium with him on his home soil as well, I think it’s pretty cool,” summed up Hadjar.
After what transpired in Australia where he crashed out in the formation lap, this was vindication of sorts – not that he didn’t prove his worth with subsequent results, but to stitch his name in the podium leaderboard, solidifies his worth, more so securing it in his rookie F1 season.
“After what happened in Australia, in the car, obviously, I thought my life was over, but then you realise it can happen and you bounce back very quickly from that,” reflected Hadjar. “Then to have a podium without too much miracles and not much going on ahead—no, I didn’t expect it, especially that fast in the season. Already finishing fourth on pure pace would have been a mighty result.
“But finishing third, I’m just over the moon.” The only dip for Hadjar was that his trophy broke off while he was celebrating with Visa Cash App RB team in front of the garage. He is expected to get a replica of it, should he and the team ask for it. Team boss Alan Permane was equally happy with the efforts.
“It has been a strong weekend all round for the team with huge efforts made from everyone in the garage, to Faenza and Milton Keynes; contributing to so much to deliver the exceptional race car we have,” he said. “What an incredible day! Isack drove a faultless race. It was a perfect weekend for him and it was a very well deserved podium.
“It might have been an inherited 3rd place, however Isack put himself in the strongest position possible to do that, which he did the whole race. He excelled all weekend; after such a great Qualifying it was good to see the pace of the car in the race and he was running at a very comfortable 4th place and had no real threats from behind.”
Here’s Isack Hadjar after the race: https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-dutch-grand-prix-hadjar-crosses-the-line-to-seal-maiden-f1-podium.1841983575253501376
Here’s Isack Hadjar breaking the trophy: https://x.com/visacashapprb/status/1962193244025958757
Here’s how F1 Dutch GP panned out
