Isack Hadjar – Gabriel Bortoleto: the duel of opposing destinies

Four and a half points in the standings and a contract with a team of Formula 1 in 2025: this is what separates Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar at the dawn of the final sprint of the Formula 2. Before the last two rounds of the championship, in Qatar (November 30 – December 1) and in Abu Dhabi (November 7-8), the two rivals are already in the center of attention, they who are opposed in every way at the end of 2024 with two very different situations...

Bortoleto, a peaceful end to the season?

On the one hand, Gabriel Bortoleto is in a strong position. The Brazilian has just been recruited by Sauber/Audi for the 2025 season, with a multi-year contract at stake, and remains on a great dynamic in Formula 2 with an incredible victory at Monza starting from last position. The Brazilian can now negotiate the end of his campaign with more serenity, now that his future is assured in Formula 1… because let us remember, the Formula 2 champion no longer has the right to drive in the antechamber of Formula 1 after his title. A situation that the protégé of McLaren (until the end of the season) absolutely wanted to avoid.

However, despite a guaranteed place in Formula 1 next year, the Paulista wants to end the season in style by winning the Formula 2 championship, having stolen the championship leader's place from Isack Hadjar in the last round in Baku. “I am a McLaren driver until Sunday of the Abu Dhabi race. They are giving me all the support I need for these two races. We have done an exceptional job this year in Formula 2 so far, said the Invicta driver on the Formula 1 podcast. We have to finish on a high note. Our goal is obviously to finish this championship in the best possible way. So, all the work I was doing before, I will continue to do it."

Hadjar, nothing left to lose?

On the other hand, Isack Hadjar has everything to gain. The Frenchman is biding his time in Formula 1, with a good chance of joining the grid as early as 2025. However, Sergio Pérez's contractual situation remains complex and the Mexican is clinging to his seat, despite abysmal performances. Helmut Marko still hopes to place Liam Lawson at Red Bull and Isack Hadar at Racing Bulls from next season, the Franco Colapinto hypothesis at Red Bull having taken a hit in recent days.

In the meantime, the Parisian must be patient and can only wait, while trying to sell himself as best he can to the Red Bull family. And what better than a Formula 2 championship title to embellish his CV and finally convince Christian Horner? Isack Hadjar is only 4,5 points behind the leader Gabriel Bortoleto and therefore still has every chance (78 points still available). The 20-year-old driver begins this final sprint with a conquering state of mind, not discouraged by the poor results in Monza and Baku, he who has often been unlucky this season.

"At the start of the season, there was Bahrain where I got taken out at the first corner, then Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) where I didn't finish a single session. I found myself 50 points behind the leader (Zane Maloney. Editor's note) after two rounds, and now you're starting to think that F1 might be over... That's really tough., he confided in our columns last October. The position I am in now is less so. I am 2nd in F2, 4,5 points behind the leader, and there are two meetings left. That is not a difficult solution. Every time the car has worked this year, I have been able to maximise its potential. So I remain confident, and I know that the team (Campos) will give its best so that we can go for the title. (…) For my part, I will try to do my best. Winning F2 could give me a privileged position. I think I have a chance of being on the grid next year, but all of that is out of my control.

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