Isack Hadjar has mentioned his response to the controversial finish of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, admitting he was “smashing the TV” as he watched the top of the race play out. Regardless of being a part of the Purple Bull household and set to race for the crew in 2026 beside Max Verstappen, he admits he nonetheless has “blended feelings”.
Talking on The Purple Flags Podcast over the weekend of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Racing Bulls rookie described his response to the season-ending race in 2021, the place Verstappen took the title, ending Lewis Hamilton’s reign.
“I used to be alone in my room,” he stated. “There is no cameras, there isn’t any mic or something, there’s simply me in entrance of my display, smashing the TV, and that is it.
“However clearly I used to be completely happy for Purple Bull as a result of on the finish of the day it is not Mercedes that gave me a shot at F1. They did not signal me. So I felt dangerous for him… However blended emotions.”
The younger driver has usually spoken about Hamilton as being his childhood hero.
“I keep in mind once I was watching TV as a child, I used to be like, ‘I hope he would not retire,’ you recognize? Like… I need to get there as soon as he is nonetheless racing.
“Really, my first 12 months in F1 is his first 12 months with Ferrari, so it is fairly iconic in a manner.
“I am simply very fortunate as a result of I by no means thought I might be racing with him. I assumed he would retire, I would get to F1 later. And now to be right here and racing him is simply… It is an enormous privilege.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Crew
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
“I acquired to race him as nicely a number of instances this 12 months.”
Whereas he has unimaginable respect for Hamilton, he added he’d by no means “open the door” for the seven-time world champion.
Since he began the 2025 season, his first 12 months within the championship, he is made a strong identify for himself with 51 factors to his identify and a podium end. This efficiency has been intently watched by Purple Bull, which has now promoted him to a seat beside the Dutchman.
“It is an excellent second in my profession, that is for positive,” he informed the media forward of the ultimate race of the season. “For all of the laborious work by way of the years being rewarded now.
“Clearly, it is just the start of a brand new journey. However I am very excited and entering into a brand new period of Formulation 1 as nicely. I feel it is superb timing.”
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