VCARB’s Isack Hadjar continued his impressive run of form by qualifying fifth for the 2025 F1 São Paulo GP. The Interlagos circuit, with its undulating layout and unpredictable conditions, tested drivers’ adaptability throughout the day. For Hadjar, it was another opportunity to show his growing maturity and technical skill.
After stepping out of the car, Hadjar, while speaking to written media, reflected on how demanding the session had been. He described the unique challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing wind pattern, which transformed the car’s handling between Friday and Saturday. Still, his appreciation for the track shone through.
“Track is just amazing, just very difficult today with the wind change compared to yesterday. It’s a totally different car, but we walked well around it and I’m happy with the session,” said Hadjar.
Eyes on a strong race result
With a P5 start, Hadjar enters Sunday’s race in an ideal position to fight for strong points. The Interlagos track, famous for its overtaking opportunities and unpredictable weather, often rewards consistency and tactical awareness — two traits the rookie has shown repeatedly this season.
Hadjar knows that finishing inside the top group is no small task, especially with fierce midfield competition. Yet he maintained a balanced and realistic outlook when discussing his expectations.
“I think if we close the race in the top 6 or 7, it’s a fantastic result,” he said.
Dealing with constantly shifting conditions
The São Paulo Qualifying session was marked by wild fluctuations in wind speed and direction — factors that can completely alter how a Formula 1 car behaves from corner to corner. As the session progressed from Q2 to Q3, those changes became even more pronounced, creating a real test of precision and adaptability.
Hadjar explained how difficult it was to find rhythm in such unpredictable circumstances. The constantly shifting balance meant that each lap felt different from the last, forcing drivers to adjust instinctively with little margin for error.
“It did make every corner, every lap uncertain, I have to say. We constantly had to adapt and it’s impossible to do a perfect lap in these conditions because you simply don’t know what’s going to happen and you don’t know how… I mean the car just feels unpredictable and we did a decent lap and it was enough for fifth. So that just shows how good the car was today,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty, Hadjar managed to extract a strong lap when it mattered, a testament to his growing confidence and feel for the car.
Focused on team goals for Sunday
As race day approaches, Hadjar’s focus extends beyond his own performance. VCARB sits in a competitive position in the Constructors’ Championship, and Sunday presents an important opportunity to strengthen that standing. With both cars starting inside the top seven, the team has reason to be optimistic.
Hadjar emphasized that the key will be discipline and teamwork, especially in the high-pressure environment that Interlagos is known for.
“Tomorrow is a big opportunity to solidify sixth place. I think with both cars starting in the top 7 is a good opportunity. The goal is to be smart and bring points,” he said.
Isack Hadjar’s P5 in Qualifying at the 2025 São Paulo GP underlined his adaptability, composure, and growing presence in F1. Despite challenging winds and constantly shifting grip levels, he extracted the best from his VCARB and now heads into Sunday with clear goals: a clean race, smart strategy, and valuable points for the team.
