Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has delivered an impressive performance during his debut season in Formula 1, currently ranking 11th in the drivers‘ championship with 22 points after 13 races. Despite these notable results, the French-Algerian driver remains highly self-critical, often doubting his own capabilities amid his rapid rise in the sport.
Internal Struggles Despite Clear Talent
Hadjar openly acknowledged that while reaching F1 is a clear indicator of his skill, persistent doubts about his competence continue to affect him. Speaking before the Hungarian Grand Prix, he said,
“If you make it to F1, then it’s not by luck, so obviously you know you’re quite OK. But at the same time, you always have doubts, and it’s normal,”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls. He added that adjusting to the speed of Formula 1 was challenging, but now he feels fully adapted and is no longer surprised by his quick progress.
Support System Playing a Crucial Role
Reflecting on his path to F1, Hadjar highlighted the crucial backing he received from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, which helped him persevere through difficult phases in his career.
“I remember my year in Hitech in F2 was an absolute nightmare, and I had this moment where I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m never going to make it to F1,’”
he explained.
“But thankfully I had very strong support from Helmut. He kept believing and gave me a second chance, which I took. So as well as mental strength – obviously, because you need to not give up in those moments – you need strong people around and people that trust in you, and this is what I had. Really good people around who believed in me, and that’s how I got back up, basically.”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls.
Challenges with Being Excessively Self-Critical
Hadjar revealed that his natural tendency to critique his performances often leads him to overlook his successes.
“It’s just that when I have a very good result and I know there was more left on the table and I could have done a better job, I tend to not be – I’m self-critical a lot,”
he stated. This attitude has prompted his team to ask him to adopt a more positive and upbeat demeanor.
“I’ve been told by my entourage I need to cheer up a bit more because the mechanics, the engineers, they need to hear positive things. But I can tell you, when I do the job and I’m happy with myself, if there’s someone that celebrates and goes crazy, it’s me. But it’s quite rare.”
—Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls.
The Impact of Mental Resilience on a Young Driver’s Career
The demanding nature of Formula 1 requires drivers to balance self-confidence with critical self-evaluation. Hadjar’s self-critical attitude demonstrates both his desire for improvement and the internal challenges he faces in embracing his early success. The support from key figures like Helmut Marko and his team appears vital in helping him manage these pressures as he navigates the remainder of the season.
As Hadjar continues to gain experience with Racing Bulls, his ability to reconcile self-criticism with positive reinforcement will likely play a significant role in his development, not only as a driver but also as a professional competitor in the high-pressure world of Formula 1.