Isack Hadjar 'feels fit' and 'really ready' as F1 career begins

That's it: Isack Hadjar dives in at the deep end. Dressed in his white suit, a big smile on his face, the Frenchman enjoyed his first "media" day as a pilot of Formula 1. And didn't miss a crumb of this launch party, organized in London. From the first press conference to the presentation of the VCARB 02 livery, via the red carpet of the O2 Arena, the new Racing Bulls driver took the measure of his new status.

However, when asked if he now feels like an F1 driver, the Parisian keeps a cool head. "Until I've been in the car and been on the track with the others, not yet. It takes a bit more than just interviews and cameras. As long as it's not racing, it doesn't count!", laughs Isack Hadjar. However, under the flash of the photographers and the lens of the cameras, the vice-champion of Formula 2 has moved up a level in terms of notoriety, alongside stars such as Lewis Hamilton ou Max Verstappen.

A few days before the winter tests in Bahrain (February 26-28), Isack Hadjar is still fine-tuning his preparation, both mentally and physically. The Racing Bulls driver assures that he is well prepared to face the physical challenge of competing in 24 Grands Prix in his first season in Formula 1, with intense preparation during the winter in order to withstand the shock.

"I feel in good shape already. It'st very important. I spent almost two weeks in Qatar training. It was just to stay in the same place, to get into habits that I will keep all winter before going to Bahrain, explains Isack Hadjar, whose neck has gained some volume during the off-season. Afterwards, I don't have my racing routine yet, that will be done on the job. But I feel really ready. The work we did on the simulator was really good. The work with my engineer too. Of course, you always have apprehension, it's still a Formula 1 and I'm not the most experienced guy. I know it will grab me at the beginning, but after three days, it will be fine.