Isack Hadjar, a rookie with the Racing Bulls team, experienced a disheartening beginning to his Formula 1 journey at the Australian Grand Prix, where he crashed before the race even commenced. The challenging weather conditions in Melbourne, marked by persistent rain, contributed to the slippery track, and unfortunately, Hadjar became its first casualty during the formation lap.
As he spun out at turn two, the start of the race was aborted, leaving the 20-year-old visibly shaken. Hadjar was set to start from 11th on the grid but saw his dreams dashed as he buried his face in his hands while officials cleared his car from the track.
In an act of sportsmanship that resonated with many, both Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Anthony Hamilton, father of renowned driver Lewis Hamilton, took the time to console Hadjar following the incident. Expressing his gratitude, Hadjar noted how meaningful it was for Hamilton to support him during such a challenging moment, appreciating the encouragement to keep his spirits up.
Reflecting on the crash, Hadjar shared feelings of embarrassment and frustration for having missed the opportunity to compete in his first Grand Prix. He conveyed a sense of loss for not gaining essential experience in wet conditions, lamenting, “I’m missing out on more experience… I wish I could be driving now.” Recognising his mistake, he acknowledged that overstepping on the wet surface led to the unfortunate mishap.
With the early incident causing the race to be shortened by one lap, the drama continued, as both Australian driver Jack Doohan and Carlos Sainz collided in the initial lap, underscoring the challenges of racing in such unpredictable conditions.
Hadjar’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability and pressures of Formula 1, particularly for debutants like him striving to make their mark in the sport.