Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar marked a significant milestone in his fledgling Formula 1 career today, securing his first championship points with an impressive eighth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix. The 20-year-old French-Algerian driver showcased resilience, skill, and composure on the challenging Suzuka Circuit, overcoming a rocky start to his season to finally translate his pace into tangible results.
Hadjar, who joined the Formula 1 grid this year as part of Red Bull’s junior program, had already demonstrated flashes of brilliance in his debut season. His seventh-place qualifying result in yesterday’s session, achieved despite battling painful seatbelt issues, hinted at his potential. Today, he backed up that promise with a clean, error-free race, capitalizing on a solid strategy and a well-executed pit stop to climb into the points-paying positions.
Starting from P7, Hadjar held his own amidst a fiercely competitive field. The race, won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, saw intense battles throughout the midfield, but Hadjar remained unfazed. His Racing Bulls team opted for a one-stop strategy, pitting him at the perfect moment to maintain track position. By the checkered flag, he had fended off challenges from the likes of Williams’ Alexander Albon and Haas’ Oliver Bearman to secure P8, earning four valuable points in the Drivers’ Championship.
“It feels amazing to finally get those first points,” Hadjar said post-race, a broad smile lighting up his face. “The team did a fantastic job today, and I’m so proud to reward their hard work. Suzuka is such a tough track, but I felt comfortable out there. This is just the start—I want to keep pushing and learning.”
Hadjar’s journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. After a dramatic debut in Australia, where he crashed on the formation lap, and a near-miss for points in China due to a strategic misstep, the pressure was on for the young driver to deliver. His performance at Suzuka silenced any doubters, proving he could handle the demands of Formula 1’s elite level.
Team Principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s maturity and determination. “Isack showed today why we believed in him,” Mekies said. “To come through the challenges he’s faced this weekend—both physically in qualifying and strategically in the race—and finish P8 is a testament to his talent. He and Yuki [Tsunoda] are pushing us forward, and we’re excited for what’s to come.”
While teammate Yuki Tsunoda, now driving for Red Bull, finished outside the points in P12 at his home Grand Prix, Hadjar’s result keeps Racing Bulls competitive in the Constructors’ standings. The team has shown promising pace this season with the VCARB-02 car, and Hadjar’s points haul adds momentum to their campaign.