Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls Dutch Grand Prix Podium

Hadjar took his first podium in Formula 1 at Zandvoort

Hadjar turns tears into podium at Zandvoort: 'I thought my life was over'

20:24, 01 Sep

Updated: 21:50, 01 Sep

byOlly Darcy

Racing Bull's driver Isack Hadjar has had a rollercoaster of a 2025 season so far, thinking that his "life was over" after his crash at the Australian Grand Prix, to now celebrating a "miracle" P3 finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old made his F1 debut in Melbourne in difficult, rainy conditions, which resulted in the French-Algerian crashing out on the formation lap, not even completing a lap in his first-ever F1 race.

Hadjar was reduced to tears when he jumped out of the cockpit, and that also resulted in Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko commenting on the reaction of the youngster post-race.

However, after just 15 races into his first season, the 20-year-old's low in Australia has been replaced with a debut podium in the pinnacle of motorsport, making the most of his P4 start with a stunning drive at Zandvoort.

Isack Hadjar became the fifth youngest driver in F1 to step onto the podium after his P3 at the Dutch Grand Prix

Hadjar amazed at his in-season turnaround

"After what happened in Australia, in the car, obviously, I thought my life was over," Hadjar explained during Sunday's post-race press conference.

"But then you realise it can happen, and you bounce back very quickly from that. Then, to have a podium without too many miracles and not much going on ahead, 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."

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After a stunning P4 finish in qualifying, the French-Algerian was then able to go one better and round off the podium, taking advantage of Lando Norris' DNF, while also holding off the likes of George Russell and Charles Leclerc behind him

"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."

"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."