After his accident in Macau, everything is going well for Isack Hadjar who is already thinking about racing

Victim of an exit in qualifying in Macau, Isack Hadjar shows no physical after-effects and is already in the lead in the two races of the weekend.

Published on 17/11/2023 à 13:28

Gonzalo Forbes

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After his accident in Macau, everything is going well for Isack Hadjar who is already thinking about racing

Isack Hadjar rubbed shoulders with the limits of the Macau circuit. ©Macau Grand Prix

At the end of qualifying, Isack Hadjar (Hitech GP) showed a little more disappointment than joy despite having achieved a good 4e place for the qualifying race (8:30 a.m.) for the Macau Grand Prix this Saturday (8:30 a.m. French time). A very diligent driver, the Ile-de-France resident always wants more and when he knows he can have it, or is not very far from it, he does not hesitate to push. But if you push too hard, you can sometimes go beyond the limits. And on a circuit like that of Guia, the protégé of Red Bull found them with the protective barriers, stuck to the tarmac.

Too much on the attack in his last flying lap, which seemed very good, in qualifying, Isack Hadjar lost control of his car in the rise of Moorish, in the 4e sector. An error that occurred a few minutes after a first scare in the same area.

« I simply did too much, he explained to us. The first spin I did put me upside down again. I thought that was the end of qualifying for me. Finally, I managed to restart and secure a good time, I am only a tenth from pole position. In the process, I was trapped by the red flag even though I was on a very good lap. So I find myself in a situation where I'm going for one more attempt. I was on a sick ride (Sic) which could allow me to beat the others but I simply push a little too much and I will lightly hit the wall with the left rear. It blew everything away, I wasn't expecting that. It's a stupid mistake (sic).

I was on edge the whole session. I lost concentration several times. I think it's just nervous. I'm making huge progress between free practice and qualifying to play up front. I didn't have the confidence since the start of the weekend and suddenly I found myself being able to fight for pole position. So I pushed too much."

An adaptation that is a little more difficult than expected which can be explained by the recent activity of the person concerned. Engaged in Formula 2, Isack Hadjar had no longer ridden in a Formula 3 since last season. Furthermore, his last single-seater race was at Monza last September. In the meantime, he got behind the wheel of a Formula 1 during the Mexican Grand Prix. An alternation which undoubtedly slowed down his acclimatization to the Macau monument.

« I honestly thought I would adapt faster but I knew the track was going to be awesome. And it was the case, he admitted. I also had to readjust to the car which has nothing to do with F2. Plus, the last time I drove was in an F1 car. I only changed recently and that's why it took me a little time. It came back in time for qualifying. But if I had been able to find these sensations earlier in the weekend, I think I wouldn't have needed to push like I did and maybe I could have gone for pole position without force as much."

Prema, the main threat according to Hadjar

Certainly infuriating, this accident “only” resulted in material damage, nothing at the physical level. A blessing in disguise, especially since Isack Hadjar managed to stay 4e on the grid for the qualifying race. Enough to consider the possibility of fighting for the first positions in view of the Grand Prix on Sunday (8:00 a.m.), if the traps of Macau do not close on him.

« I don't have much of a strategy with a particular position I want to end up in because you never know what can happen, he points. You will have to get a good start and exit turn 3 safely, away from danger. If I can gain one or two places as soon as the lights go out, that would be ideal and then I can see how I do in my race. The most important thing will be to be in the top 3 or 4.

We have to see what our pace will be and where the Prema will be with theirs because they should be very fast in the race. Historically, they are always better in races than in qualifying."

ALSO READ > Macau – Q2: Browning takes pole position, Hadjar damaged but well placed

Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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