F1 World Champion Damon Hill has praised Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar for his resilience and impressive performances during the 2025 season, highlighting not only the young Frenchman's talent but also his ability to rebound from early setbacks.
Hadjar suffered the worst possible start to his career among motorsport’s elite when he crashed on the formation lap of F1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
It was a devastating blow for the 20-year-old, who walked back to the paddock, helmet on and distraught, while tears streamed down his face, a visible sign of the weight of expectation and disappointment he carried after his botched debut.
But since, Hadjar has gone from strength to strength, scoring his first points in Japan and adding three more top ten finishes in the last four races, including his strong run to P6 in last Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
“He has actually surprised everyone, probably not himself, but I mean maybe has surprised himself, I don’t know, but I’ve been impressed,” commented Hill on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast
“I’ve been impressed by almost everything he’s done. I mean there was clearly the horrible thing he went through in Australia where he made a mistake and actually was in tears and had to be consoled by Anthony Hamilton and he didn’t have to be, but he was.
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“For a guy who was distraught, he has got the emotional strength to be a Formula 1 driver and so forth but he has been amazing since that moment and he’s been strong and to go round Monaco, biff it into the wall twice, take off the wheel and not be cowed by that and to put in a fantastic qualifying performance and race, well done.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Hadjar’s performances have inevitably sparked conversations about his future in Formula 1.
With Red Bull known for its aggressive promotion of young talent, Hadjar’s consistent outperformance of Lawson and his ability to handle high-pressure situations have made him a prime candidate for a top-tier seat.
Read also: F1i Driver Ratings for the 2025 Monaco GPHis journey from the heartbreak of Australia to the triumph of Monaco has demonstrated a rare combination of speed, resilience, and character. Hill’s glowing endorsement only adds weight to the growing belief that it’s only a matter of time until the young ends up at Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen.
A statement of Intent from Norris
While Hadjar’s story dominated Hill’s praise, the 1996 champion also took time to reflect on the Monaco Grand Prix’s winner, Lando Norris.
The McLaren driver, who claimed victory in Monte Carlo, has had his own journey of redemption in 2025.
After winning the season opener in Australia, Norris faced a challenging period as teammate Oscar Piastri surged ahead, winning four of the next five races and taking the championship lead.
Hill suggested that Piastri’s form caught Norris off guard, exposing perceived weaknesses.
“I think he was a little bit shocked that Oscar had come out fighting quite as well as he had done, and took the shine off some of Lando’s undeniable talent and position in that team and also in the sport,” Hill noted.
However, Norris’s Monaco victory was a statement of intent, according to the former Williams driver.
“I think he must have had a little bit of self-reflection,” Hill said. “He was being a little bit picked apart by the commentators, and I have to say, I was one of them.
“We saw weakness, we saw a fragility or what we perceived as fragility in Lando.”
The win in Monaco, according to Hill, was Norris showing the world “this is what I can do on a perfect weekend.”
Like Hadjar, Norris demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity and silence doubters, making Monaco a weekend of redemption for both drivers.
Hill applauds Hadjar’s grit: ‘He’s been amazing since that moment’ F1i.com.
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