Lewis Hamilton sums up Isack Hadjar with one word after his first Formula 1 podium | Zandvoort GP. Isack Hadjar makes F1 history with his first Dutch Grand Prix podium.

Isack Hadjar makes Formula 1 history with breakthrough Dutch Grand Prix podium

The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort delivered a landmark moment for Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, as the young French driver secured his maiden Formula 1 podium. At just 20 years, 11 months and three days old, he became the youngest French driver in F1 history to stand on the rostrum, joining an elite list of prodigies such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Lance Stroll, and fellow 2025 newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who all reached the podium at an earlier age.

Hadjar’s weekend initially looked destined for frustration after the summer break. Mechanical issues plagued his practice sessions: a seatbelt problem disrupted FP1, and a power unit failure cut short his running in FP2 before he could even log a flying lap. Despite those setbacks, he delivered what he later described as the best lap of his career during qualifying, securing an impressive fourth place on the grid behind Max Verstappen and the two McLaren drivers.

Racing brilliance under pressure at Zandvoort

Race day brought even more drama. While McLaren’s Oscar Piastri inherited a major advantage in the drivers’ championship after teammate Lando Norris suffered a heartbreaking mechanical failure late in the race, it was Isack Hadjar who capitalised most. The Frenchman kept his composure and expertly defended against challenges from Charles Leclerc and George Russell, holding firm under immense pressure to take third place at the chequered flag. His hero, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, had already retired after a crash, meaning the youngster’s defining career moment came while Hamilton watched on from the Ferrari garage.

Hadjar’s podium finish sparked huge celebrations among fans and inside the Racing Bulls team. During the post-race festivities, he shared a light-hearted moment online when the top of his trophy snapped off while posing for a team photo. On Instagram, he described the achievement as a surreal day, thanking Visa Cash App RB for their support, and joking about ending up with “half a trophy.”

Hamilton hails Isack Hadjar’s achievement

Hamilton, who Isack Hadjar has long admired, responded to the rookie’s social media post by calling him a “legend,” a one-word tribute that underlined just how impressed he was by the Frenchman’s breakthrough performance. The Ferrari star also acknowledged Isack Hadjar more formally in his own race debrief, praising the 20-year-old and expressing happiness for him and his family despite enduring a painful weekend himself. Hamilton highlighted the positives Ferrari could take from Zandvoort, but admitted his crash was a bitter blow ahead of Monza.

Ferrari’s Dutch GP woes analysed

While Isack Hadjar celebrated, Ferrari endured one of their most disappointing weekends of the season. Both cars failed to score points, with Hamilton’s crash and Charles Leclerc’s collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli bringing their races to an early end. Analyst Karun Chandhok noted something unusual about Lewis Hamilton’s accident, pointing out that the veteran driver lost control at the banked Turn 3 as rain began to fall, sliding into the tyre barriers. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, was left frustrated with Ferrari’s strategy after being called in for new tyres, only to find himself immediately in a clash with Antonelli that ended his race.

Despite Ferrari’s collapse, Isack Hadjar never appeared to be in danger of losing his podium position from his second-row starting slot. While Norris’ retirement handed him the final place on the podium, it was Isack Hadjar’s flawless execution under pressure that sealed the result. For a driver in his debut season, the Dutch Grand Prix represented not only the highlight of his career so far but also a statement of intent for the future.

Hadjar’s performance earned plaudits across the paddock, with Lewis Hamilton’s endorsement serving as the ultimate validation. For Racing Bulls, it was proof their young talent has the potential to compete against the very best, and for French motorsport, a new star has well and truly arrived.