Hadjar Enjoyed Competitive Practice Session and Felt Difference Between F1 and F2
Isack Hadjar felt his latest Formula 1 practice session was “competitive.” He drove Max Verstappen’s car in FP1 at Yas Marina, recovering from a spin early on to complete 22 laps and place within four-tenths of a second behind Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull.
Admitting he gave a good account of himself amid rumors of a potential promotion to Red Bull’s second team next year, Hadjar told the official F1 channel: “It was intense. I’ve done much more laps than usual. It was a great run plan, honestly I really enjoyed the session. I got plenty of laps. It didn’t start really well for me, but I improved quite rapidly and was happy with the long run performance. And I was competitive as well in the short run. So it wasn’t bad.”
This marked Hadjar’s second outing in the RB20 this season, having taken over for Perez at Silverstone earlier in the year.
“It was my fourth time in an F1 car today. I’ve managed four FP1 sessions so I’m still new to it. I haven’t done any private tests so every time I jump in, I feel like it’s the first time,” he added.
“Everything comes at you so fast. I still didn’t really explore all the limits of the car, so just on feeling, I can learn a lot still.”
After practice, Hadjar jumped back into his Formula 2 car for qualifying, starting fourth on the grid with a best time of 1’35.873 – almost a full ten seconds slower than his best F1 time.
Reflecting on the different worlds proffered by both cars
“When I went back to the F2 car, it felt just super slow. Everything comes at you slowly but at the same time, it’s incredibly physical without power steering,” said Hadjar.
“So I had to get back to it and get used to it which was really tough. They are 15 seconds a lap slower – it’s huge.”
What Formula 1 team did Isack Hadjar drive for during the first practice session mentioned in the article?
## Young Star Hadjar Impresses in First Practice
**Interviewer:** Isack, welcome to the show! That was quite a debut for you in FP1 at Yas Marina, driving Max Verstappen’s car no less.
**Isack Hadjar:** Thank you! It was definitely an intense experience. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to drive for Red Bull, and stepping into Max’s car was something special.
**Interviewer:** You had a bit of a spin early on, but you recovered well.
**Hadjar:** Absolutely. I was pushing hard, getting used to the car, and unfortunately, I lost the rear. But thankfully, I managed to recover and get back on track.
**Interviewer:** You finished within four-tenths of Sergio Perez, a commendable result for your first time in a Formula 1 car. How did you feel your performance was?
**Hadjar:** It felt competitive. Obviously, I’m still learning the car and the feeling is different compared to F2. [1] The power and downforce are truly something else. It was a great run plan, and I really enjoyed the session. I learned a lot.
**Interviewer:** All of this amidst rumors about a possible promotion to Red Bull’s second team next year. Does that add extra pressure?
**Hadjar:** Honestly, I try not to focus too much on that. My goal right now is to work hard, learn as much as I can, and improve my performance.
**Interviewer:** Well, Isack, it’s been a pleasure talking to you. We wish you the best of luck for the rest of the season and beyond.
**Hadjar:** Thank you!
