Isack Hadjar has emerged as one of the standout rookies in the 2025 Formula 1 season, consistently impressing with his performances at Racing Bulls. His results have not only earned him recognition as one of the brightest young drivers on the grid but have also attracted the admiration of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The French driver is one of six full-time debutants in Formula 1 this year, and so far he sits as the second-highest placed rookie in the championship standings, behind only Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who currently occupies eighth place. This strong debut campaign has placed Hadjar firmly in the conversation for a promotion to Red Bull Racing, where he is now regarded as one of the front-running candidates to become Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2026.
Hadjar himself has suggested that he is ready to take on the challenge. Earlier in the season, he had admitted reservations about a possible move to Red Bull, citing the difficulties that several drivers in the past have faced when stepping into the senior team. However, following his breakthrough performances, the 20-year-old has reversed his stance and indicated that he now feels prepared to handle the pressure and expectations that would come with a Red Bull seat.
The growing attention around Hadjar’s performances was particularly evident during the Dutch Grand Prix, a weekend that turned out to be one of the most memorable of his rookie year. A new Canal+ documentary series following the young Frenchman captured several interactions between him and Lewis Hamilton. The cameras highlighted how much respect the Mercedes driver has for the rookie.
At Zandvoort, Hadjar delivered the best qualifying performance of his career to date, securing fourth place on the grid and lining up alongside Verstappen. On race day, he converted that strong starting position into his first Formula 1 podium, finishing third and cementing his reputation as a rising star.
During the traditional drivers’ parade ahead of the race, Hadjar was seen approaching Hamilton. The seven-time champion congratulated him warmly on the excellent qualifying result, and Hadjar acknowledged that it had been one of his best laps of the season. Hamilton also praised the speed of the Racing Bulls RB01, remarking that the car looked highly competitive in 2025.
The documentary also showed another exchange, where Hadjar told Hamilton with excitement that he would be racing against him that afternoon. The Mercedes driver responded in a light-hearted tone, recalling how at the previous Hungarian Grand Prix he had struggled to overtake Hadjar, who had finished just ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in eleventh place. The British driver’s remarks underlined the respect he has for the young Frenchman’s defensive driving skills.
Hamilton’s admiration did not stop there. After Hadjar’s podium finish in Zandvoort, Hamilton publicly praised him once more, calling him a legend in the rookie’s own Instagram debrief and later sharing his congratulations in his own social media posts. The gestures highlighted how highly Hamilton regards Hadjar’s potential.
When reflecting on the new generation of drivers, Hamilton has been vocal in offering encouragement and advice. He previously spoke with Kimi Antonelli, acknowledging the Italian rookie’s struggles at Mercedes in his first season. Given that Antonelli replaced Hamilton at the team where the Briton had won six world titles, his words carried special weight. Regarding Hadjar, Hamilton explained in comments broadcast by Canal+ that it was inspiring to watch the Frenchman grow into his role as a Formula 1 driver. He described him as not only a talented racer but also a genuinely pleasant character, and he emphasised that Hadjar has a bright future ahead in the sport.
Hadjar is not the only member of the rookie class to benefit from Hamilton’s encouragement. Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto also cited the Briton as a source of inspiration before delivering his career-best performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix. On that occasion, Bortoleto stayed late into the night with his engineers, even as they worked past curfew, in order to prepare the car for the following day’s final practice session and qualifying. His commitment paid off, as he produced his most competitive weekend to date.
Through his consistent performances, Hadjar has established himself as one of the most exciting prospects of the 2025 Formula 1 season. With Lewis Hamilton openly acknowledging his talent and potential, the Frenchman’s future looks increasingly tied to a possible promotion within the Red Bull system. As the season continues, the combination of his speed, maturity, and growing reputation could well secure him a place at the very top of Formula 1 in the years ahead.
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