Isack Hadjar looks back on a “really frustrating” weekend

In Melbourne, Isack Hadjar came close to a podium. The protected Frenchman of the house Red Bull also discovered the Albert Park circuit for the first time, quickly adapting to changing weather conditions for the Australian event.

However, for the driver of the Hitech team, everything started well: “ I felt confident from the first lap, he says. We were able to fight for second place. But I was stuck in traffic, I couldn't improve my best time, which was still good enough for fourth place. I was frustrated, because I knew there was more to look for. »

A first hint of frustration for the Frenchman, who was securing his second row with, in front of him, his two compatriots Victor Martins and Theo Pourchaire. This is the first time that Hadjar experienced rainy conditions in Formula 2 : " At first I was very stressed because I knew it would be difficult to drive, we experienced aquaplaning everywhere, and accidents which led to the red flag at the end », says the rookie.

A good starting position for the Sunday race but, first, the Frenchman had to face the Sprint race. Objective: score points. « We wanted to evaluate our pace and see how our balance evolved over time, he adds. We were quite competitive, we were in a good place for the next day. »

And to add: " My favorite moment was the pass on the outside of turn 9 on Victor Martins. It was just before the safety car signal, I didn't have to give up the position. It was fun and on the limit, but we were able to do more overtaking than I thought, which was positive. » In an eventful event dominated by Denis Hauger, Hadjar finished 6th when his teammate Jak Crawford took second position.

« Starting from fourth position, a victory was possible », observes the Ile-de-France resident, looking back on his Sunday run. But Hadjar finished the Melbourne event in 15th place: “ I was in contention for a podium easily after all the pit stops, even after the contact with Ollie Bearman. I was stuck in the peloton until the accident with Nissany, it was really frustrating. »

A result out of the points for someone making his first season in Formula 2. On the French side, only Pourchaire took his ART Grand Prix into 2nd position. Victor Martins also fell to 18th place, Clément Novalak finished 11th.

ALSO READ > Have red flags increased in F1?