Formula 1 rookie Isack Hadjar has impressed with strong results in his debut season—but now the Frenchman has a problem, according to expert Nico Rosberg.
Rookie Isack Hadjar is one of the big surprises of the current Formula 1 season: the Frenchman with Algerian roots raced to the podium for the first time in only his 15th race, has collected almost twice as many points as his teammate Liam Lawson, and is currently in ninth place in the drivers’ championship.
Yet his debut in the premier class was anything but promising, as the Racing Bulls driver crashed into the track barrier in the rain in Australia before the start. The “tearful show” that followed was sharply criticized by Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko.
The Austrian “publicly tore him apart,” former Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg told Sky. “That was in the very first race! They are so hard on the drivers, but he is the rising star of the year. Incredible performances, consistent, fast.”
Hadjar did not let this setback at the season opener in Melbourne discourage him. On the contrary: the 20-year-old raced into the top 10 for the first time in only his third race in Japan. This was followed by seven more points finishes and even a podium place in Zandvoort.
Rosberg says: Hadjar “now has a problem”
“The problem he has now is that Red Bull Racing will promote him,” believes Rosberg. The former world champion thinks it is likely that Hadjar will become Max Verstappen’s teammate as early as next year. “And then the question arises: Will he accept this role, or should he rather decline?”
The question is whether the young Formula 1 driver should “gain a little more time and gain another year of experience.” Despite his strong results, the youngster still lacks routine. “It’s a difficult decision,” Rosberg knows.
Hadjar is also clearly still wrestling with himself. In addition to curiosity about how things would go at Red Bull, a certain amount of uncertainty still prevails. Just a few weeks ago, the Racing Bulls driver admitted that he was “not yet ready” for a change.
After all, it wasn’t easy for Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda either alongside the four-time world champion. But Rosberg is convinced: “At the moment, he is showing enormous potential, winning potential,” says the 2016 world champion. “So let’s see how far he can go. But he is definitely the rising star of the year.”
