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Isack Hadjar during the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Image: Race Pictures

Isack Hadjar issues sombre assessment ahead of Azerbaijan GP

10:29, 13 Sep

bySamson Ero

Isack Hadjar has weighed in on what to expect ahead of the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Racing Bulls driver has cast a gloomy verdict on his team’s chances at the Baku street race.

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Hadjar took his first podium in Formula 1 at Zandvoort. Photo: Race Pictures

‘Baku will be very challenging.’

- Isack Hadjar

“I think it’s strong on every layout — it’s just a quick car. But on some surfaces, with weird tarmac or heavy graining, we’ve struggled. In Bahrain and Canada, for example, we were nowhere. So yes, there will be tougher weekends. Baku will be very challenging,” Hadjar said to GPblog.

The French driver, who has been on an impressive run of form, reminded the F1 grid of his brilliance when he finished in the points following a pit lane start in Monza. Hadjar’s words also came after his masterfully executed drive at the Dutch Grand Prix, which culminated in a podium finish in Zandvoort.

However, the 20-year-old is far from optimistic about his team’s chances in Baku. His concerns are not without merit, as during the 2024 edition of the race, the Racing Bulls team left the street race with no points, with Daniel Ricciardo finishing 13th and Yuki Tsunoda suffering a DNF during his outing.

Isack Hadjar on how he deals with extreme results

The Racing Bulls rookie also touched on how he deals with his difficult results record through race weekends. Hadjar stressed how it is most important not to dwell on the outcome of races and better shift focus to racing again.

Speaking with GPblog during the Italian Grand Prix, he stated:

“The hardest thing is not to think about it too much. Whether it’s a good result or a bad one, you put it behind you, get back in the car and do your job. It’s actually very easy.”

Hadjar indeed has proven to be a driver with resilience – considering the sort of start he had to his Formula 1 career. The former F2 driver crashed on the formation lap of the season opener in Australia and has since risen from the lows of the incident to claim his first F1 podium finish for the Racing Bulls outfit.