Isack Hadjar compared to Senna and Alonso: 'He has no weaknesses'

That Hadjar's debut was not surrounded by all the pomp and fanfare that Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto did have, is understandable for the former Indycar driver, "After all, he had never won a junior formula championship. Plenty of F1 fans may not have even known his name," wrote the American on Formula 1's website.

"That changed in Melbourne for all the wrong reasons, when a formation lap crash prevented him from starting what would’ve been his first F1 race," said Hinchcliffe regarding the incident that prompted the entire F1 community to come to his support, including Hadjar's idol's father, Anthony Hamilton.

Hadjar's mistake would've taken his toll, says the American. "You can feel the outside world judging you. You can feel your team's disappointment. It’s an awful feeling. His body language as he walked back to the sodden Albert Park paddock was that of a man truly defeated."

However, that incident would be but a momentary stone in his path. "Points finishes have since followed in Jeddah, Imola, Monaco and Spain, placing him ninth in the Drivers' Standings. Five out of the eight races he has competed in he has been in the points, with two of the remaining three being 11th place results."

His emotionality, Hinchcliffe believes is not a flaw, and compares the French Algerian to two of the greatest names that Formula One has ever seen: Ayrton Senna and Fernando Alonso.

"And while his team’s performance deficit might make it hard to end the season as the rookie with the most points, if he continues this current run of form, he might very well be the most celebrated rookie this season," Hinchcliffe concluded.

The Austrian CEO of Racing Bulls has joined the flock of F1 pundits and analysts urging Red Bull Racing not to promote the young ace yet.

"For heaven's sake, don't take this talent away from us too soon. He is now to get to know the whole business until the end of 2026. Until then, we'll have to handcuff him!" was Bayer's heartfel plea as quoted by Blick.