Isack Hadjar's F3 debut impresses

In a field made up of around thirty drivers, Isack Hadajar is one of those who stands out the most at the start of the season. On the momentum of his title of Rookie of the year in FRECA in 2021, the Ile-de-France native was quick to highlight himself in F3 where the task did not necessarily look easy for the beginner.

Member of Red Bull Junior Team and placed with Hitech GP, a team accustomed to welcoming drivers from the Austrian fold, Isack Hadjar launched his campaign perfectly with a victory in his first race in Bahrain. During the Main Race, he had long been in contention for a podium finish but contact with Alexander Smolyar (MP Motorsport) put an end to his hopes.

In Imola for the 2^e round of the season, the Habs were once again not spared from racing events. While witnessing the fight between Caio Collet (MP Motorsport) and Franco Colapinto (VAR) for victory in the Sprint Race, Isack Hadjar was sent into the gravel trap by the first city thus falling to 5^e place and letting out a nice 3^e place. The next day, luck finally smiled on him when Grégoire Saucy (ART Grand Prix) and Oliver Bearman made contact which allowed him to climb onto the box.

Express adaptation

Beyond his results, Isack Hadjar impressed with his speed. Although he is not in the best team on the field, the Frenchman has shown himself to be competitive to be regularly present in the Top 10, where his teammates Kaylen Frederick and Nazim Azman are still struggling.  

« Isack found his feet (on the team) very quickly, rejoices Oliver Oakes. We expected that he would need a little more time to adapt mentally and physically because the start had not been ideal. He had to take a flight immediately after the last round of FRECA in 2021 (Monza) to come and do the end of F3 season testing with us the next day (in Valencia). He was exhausted. He had done a few good stints but he had never really been able to put everything together.."

Isack Hadjar quickly adapted to his new car. © Frits van Eldik / Dutch Photo Agency / DPPI

Hardworking and mature

If he is delighted to count on a driver who regularly brings him good results, Oliver Oakes is especially happy to have someone as involved and mature as Isack Hadjar in his ranks. The head of the British structure particularly welcomes his protégé's desire to learn and do well.

« His evolution to date has been incredible, recognizes the main team of Hitech GP. We spent 5 weeks together in the United Arab Emirates since he played in the FRAC with us. I could see how hardworking he was. This is what surprised me the most apart from its results. He takes things very seriously, he spends time with the engineers and mechanics. It's always nice to see this kind of behavior at this age. This is where we see the true level of F2 and F3. You may have a lot of talent, but all the details are important in the end.

Positioning on the track, tire management, lots of difficult points to manage in a grid of 30 cars,… The way he managed these elements is impressive. He will have to continue like this because we cannot rest on our laurels in F3. He also had bad luck like in Bahrain for example where contact with Smolyar cost him the podium in Race 2. There was also Race 1 in Imola. I think he still has work to do but so far he has done a very good job considering the experienced field this year but also his rookie status."

For his first Hitech GP, Isack Hadjar won. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Working hard, performing well on the track, Isack Hadjar quickly made everyone agree on his potential. With only 5 points behind leader Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix), the Ile-de-France rider could be a real contender for the title if the good results follow one another and the bad luck disappears.

ALSO READ > Everything goes well for Isack Hadjar