Isack Hadjar continued his impressive rookie campaign with another standout qualifying performance at the F1 Spanish GP, securing P9 on the grid for Racing Bulls. The French driver delivered when it mattered most, producing an amazing lap in Q2 that secured his place in the top-10 shootout for the third consecutive weekend.
Progressive improvement through Qualifying sessions
Hadjar’s qualifying performance demonstrated consistent improvement across all three sessions. He began Q1 with a solid foundation lap of 1:13.139, establishing his pace early in the session. The French driver then found significant time in Q2, posting 1:12.461 to secure his place in the top 10 shootout for the third consecutive weekend. His final Q3 effort of 1:12.252 represented nearly nine-tenths of improvement from his opening session, finishing just 0.706 seconds behind pole sitter Oscar Piastri.
This consistent progression highlighted the pace that has made Hadjar one of Formula 1’s standout newcomers this season, with each session building upon the previous performance.
Hadjar’s Q2 masterclass built on maximum commitment
Isack Hadjar’s path to Q3 was built on what he described as a “mighty lap” in Q2, where he extracted everything possible from his Racing Bulls car. Speaking after qualifying, the 20-year-old revealed his total commitment during the crucial second session.
“Honestly, I think I just did a mighty lap in Q2,” Hadjar explained. “It was just about whether the other guys were going to wake up or not. So I think I was already on the very limit of what I could do.“
He highlighted how he maximized his car’s potential early in the session, demonstrating the mature approach that has characterized his debut Formula 1 season. “I think P9, P8 would have been the absolute maximum,” he reflected, showcasing realistic expectations while acknowledging his machinery’s current limitations.
Hadjar’s ability to extract maximum performance while understanding his car’s capabilities has become a defining characteristic of his Racing Bulls campaign, setting him apart from other rookies who often struggle with this balance.
New front wing development shows promise
Racing Bulls introduced a new front wing specification for the Spanish GP weekend, and Hadjar provided valuable insight into its impact on car performance. While the aerodynamic update didn’t transform the car’s characteristics dramatically, the rookie driver remained positive about the development direction.
“Performance-wise, I’m not sure. I definitely recognized my car,” Hadjar explained when asked about the front wing. “It didn’t bring much change to ours [his car], because I don’t think we were the best at playing with this.“
Despite the measured improvement, Hadjar was positive about the upgrade’s potential. “I can’t really feel it…It’s definitely not worse, no, it was still fast,” he added.
His assessment suggests that while Racing Bulls may need more time to fully optimize the new component, the development represents a step in the right direction for their 2025 campaign.
Sunday’s Spanish GP offers points opportunity
Starting from P9, Hadjar is well-positioned for a strong race result at the Spanish GP Racing Bulls have shown competitive race pace in recent rounds, and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya’s characteristics should suit their package, particularly given the team’s improved performance on circuits demanding aerodynamic efficiency.
Hadjar’s consistency in reaching Q3 for three consecutive weekends has been one of the positive stories of the 2025 season. His development trajectory shows no signs of slowing down, suggesting even stronger performances lie ahead as the season progresses and he continues to adapt to Formula 1’s demands.
