Isack Alexandre Hadjar, born on September 28, 2004, in Paris, France, is a French-Algerian racing driver who has rapidly ascended the motorsport ladder to secure a Formula 1 seat with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls for the 2025 season. At just 20 years old, Hadjar represents a new generation of talent, blending raw speed with a disciplined approach shaped by his unique background. Holding dual French and Algerian citizenship, he races under the French flag and embodies a multicultural identity that resonates in today’s diverse motorsport landscape.
His journey from karting at age seven to the pinnacle of motorsport reflects a combination of personal determination, family support, and the backing of the Red Bull Junior Team. Hadjar’s passion for racing was sparked early, inspired by the animated movie Cars and nurtured by his father’s love for Formula 1, setting the stage for a career that has already garnered significant attention.
Isack Hadjar parents
Isack hails from a family of intellectuals with no direct ties to motorsport, making his path to Formula 1 all the more remarkable. His father, Yassine Hadjar, is a physicist and researcher specializing in quantum mechanics, holding a PhD from Université Paris VI, where his 1998 dissertation focused on optomechanical coupling and Brownian motion observation. Yassine, originally from Algeria, also served as Isack’s karting mechanic during his early racing years, providing hands-on technical support and introducing him to the world of Formula 1.
A motorsport enthusiast and former amateur racer, Yassine’s passion for racing played a pivotal role in igniting Isack’s interest, with family outings to watch F1 races becoming a cherished tradition. Isack’s mother, Randa, is of Lebanese-Algerian descent, is a human resources director whose details remain largely private. Initially apprehensive about the dangers of racing, she overcame her concerns to become one of Isack’s most steadfast supporters, offering emotional stability and encouragement.
Career
Hadjar’s motorsport journey began at age seven with karting, inspired by watching Cars and Formula 1 with his father. By 2012, he was competing in regional karting events, progressing to international competitions by 2017 and finishing 22nd in the 2018 Karting World Championship. His transition to single-seater racing came in 2019 with a debut in the French F4 Championship, where he secured a win at Spa-Francorchamps despite challenges with his height affecting pedal reach. In 2020, Hadjar’s performance improved significantly, earning three wins and a third-place finish in the French F4 Championship. The following year, he competed in the Formula Regional European Championship with R-ace GP, clinching a victory in Monaco and finishing fifth overall, while also placing sixth in the F3 Asian Championship as a part-time entrant.
Joining the Red Bull Junior Team in 2022, Hadjar raced in both Formula Regional Asian (finishing third) and FIA Formula 3 with Hitech Grand Prix, where he won three races and placed fourth overall. In 2023, he stepped up to Formula 2 with Hitech, finishing 14th in a winless season but gaining valuable experience, including his first F1 free practice session with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the Mexico City Grand Prix. His 2024 Formula 2 campaign with Campos Racing was a breakout, with four feature race wins (Melbourne, Imola, Silverstone, and Spa-Francorchamps) and a runner-up finish in the championship, earning him the Aramco Best Performance Award for his Melbourne performance. This success led to his promotion to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls for 2025, where he partners Yuki Tsunoda. Despite a crash on the formation lap at the Australian Grand Prix, Hadjar rebounded, scoring points in Japan (eighth) and Saudi Arabia (tenth), showcasing his potential as a rookie.
Accolades
Hadjar’s career, though still in its early stages, is marked by several notable achievements. In 2021, he was crowned the Formula Regional European Championship rookie champion, a testament to his immediate impact in the series with a win in Monaco and multiple podiums. His 2020 French F4 Championship season saw him finish third overall with three race victories, establishing him as a top prospect.
In 2022, Hadjar’s three wins in FIA Formula 3 and third-place finish in the Formula Regional Asian Championship further highlighted his versatility and speed. His standout 2024 Formula 2 season, where he secured four feature race victories and finished as vice-champion, earned him the Aramco Best Performance Award for his dominant Melbourne weekend. Hadjar’s performances in F1 free practice sessions, including driving Max Verstappen’s Red Bull RB19 in Abu Dhabi, drew praise from Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who described him as a “raw talent” with significant potential.