Isack Hadjar is unbothered by the reaction of Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko to his crash in Melbourne last week.
The Racing Bulls driver failed to start his first race for the team after losing control of his car in treacherous conditions during the formation lap at Albert Park. A tearful Hadjar was consoled by Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony, though Marko called the scene “embarrassing” when he spoke to an Austrian television channel later.Hadjar made light of Marko’s reaction when it was put to him in today’s FIA press conference ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. “I found it embarrassing, myself,” he admitted.
“Helmut, I had him on the phone a day later and it’s all good. I’ve known him [for] a few years now, I know how he works.
“Also, another point, I think [when he] said that he was speaking German, it was reinterpreted differently. You don’t know about the body language, I didn’t see the footage. So I can’t say much.”
The 20-year-old said he was grateful for the support he received after the incident. “I’ve seen all the love from the fans and the people, I did not expect that at all when I binned it in the wall, so that was nice.”
He rebounded “quite quickly” from the emotional low-point. “I would say on Monday already I felt quite a lot better,” said Hadjar ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.
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“Especially knowing that it’s a back-to-back weekend so I’ve got to run [again] quite early, not having a month to dwell on it.”
Lewis Hamilton also offered his commiserations, said Hadjar. His father Anthony “said it reminded him of Lewis parking the car at pit entry in Shanghai,” in his first season in 2007, when he narrowly failed to win the world championship.
“It was a nice moment, sharing time with someone like Anthony – as well, obviously, the dad of my idol. So that was quite a special moment. And indeed, Lewis sent me a message later that day. Really classy guys.”
Hadjar’s team mate Yuki Tsunoda pulled off a surprise result by qualifying fifth and was in the hunt for points before pitting too late to change tyres when the conditions changed. However Hadjar drew encouragement from the team’s performance in the first round following pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“I would say that we were surprisingly faster than we thought, looking at Bahrain,” he said. “Of course, in Bahrain, it’s hard to really understand where you’re at in the midfield. You don’t know how much everyone is hiding or not.
“But going into Melbourne the car was really good and straight from FP1 I think I had a really, really nice feeling with the car. I was quite comfortable and I was as close [to] Yuki as I wanted to be, so I think there were a lot of positives in terms of pure performance.
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Hamilton said he offered his support to Hadjar because he knew how bad he would feel afterwards. “Of course I know what it’s like have your first grand prix and the pressure that you have with it,” he told Sky. “And it was the worst conditions that you could have your first race. The worst conditions, so slippery.
“Obviously he had his off on the formation lap and I know how it feels. It’s a horrible feeling. One, for yourself because you’ve practised so much, you’ve prepared so well and then something like that happens. And then two, with how people look upon you and the negativity you feel that’s incoming.
“So I think it was really important. I remember what it was like at the beginning and I really wanted to try to be there as much as I can for Isack. My door is open, we can always have conversations moving forward.
“And also just know that one race doesn’t define you. He’s got lots of opportunities up ahead. Just keep your head up and it’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.”
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RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 6:45
I know I’m in the minority on this, but I agree with Marko. The mistake was humiliating but these things happen; following it up whimpering for 15 minutes through the paddock, being consoled in public was embarrassing. I’ve no problem with emotion, but he should have controlled himself until in private.
One of the key attributes for a sportsman is mental compartmentalisation. My main worry for Hadjar is that he is too emotional. It’s the same criticism that I have of Tsunoda – an obvious factor in why he is perennially overlooked for the Red Bull seat.
As recently as last season, we’ve watched Norris capitulate under the mental pressure of poor starts. Resilience is a skill, a vital attribute for serial winners. During my time watching F1, Hamilton is the only driver I’ve seen who didn’t display a ruthless, borderline nasty streak when winning his championship. Even guys like Damon and Nico developed, or at least revealed, an intensity they hadn’t shown to that point.
For Hadjar, I’m glad to see he’s recognised and owned this. He’s got a long way to go to become docile (the deflated ball as JYS puts it) in the car, but this is the right first step.
David BR (@david-br)
20th March 2025, 9:08
@rbalonso Disagree 100%. Hadjar broke down because he broke down, obviously a huge well of emotion and disappointment with himself. But the fact he let that out, in my view, means precisely that he’ll learn, move on and build that resilience you’re talking about. What’s counterproductive is shaming or bottling up that emotion and it seeping out in other, toxic ways – taking out that disappointment on other people in private or away from the public gaze for example. There a few examples not so far from the Red Bull paddock along those lines.
Craig
20th March 2025, 9:26
Agreed.
MichaelN
20th March 2025, 10:10
Absolutely. There are more emotions then anger, and the performative tough guys who pretend otherwise might use this opportunity to consider why they think this way.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 14:11
It’s not a case of putting on a tough guy approach, it’s pragmatism. Hadjar has a massive opportunity this year to be in the top team in F1, in an environment known for destroying frail teammates to Max. That’s the reality – it’s top level competition. Hadjar is now known internationally as the driver who made a mistake before the start of the race and then cried about it. That’s not to shame him, but it’s the portrayal he has given. Offering advice of restraint is to his benefit, F1 is tough and drivers who don’t fit the mould fall away. It’s not callous to say that.
David BR (@david-br)
20th March 2025, 16:56
@rbalonso But you’re assuming the media coverage will impact him negatively and that he’ll do the same again if not checked by the likes of Marko. Psychologically, I don’t see it working out that way. In fact I’d say the interview shows he’s responded fine and can now deal better with pressure from the likes of Marko. Just my impression.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 18:11
But is this chicken or egg David? Would we be talking about this if Marko hadn’t publicly said anything? Perhaps he’d have had a lot of people clapping him on the back and responded differently. Criticism can be constructive even when it’s pointed.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 14:22
I don’t think it’s shaming to call something embarrassing that the person involved agrees is embarrassing.
It’s not bottling it up to put on a brave face until he’s back in the motorhome. Once he’s there of course he can act how he pleases. But the world saw Hadjar as the driver who cried for spinning off pre race. I have no issue with that, I would have been emotional too. But he’s entered a sport of ruthless competitors who prey on every weakness. That display of emotion shows a lack of control which he must learn from if he is to make it, particularly if that’s with Red Bull.
David BR (@david-br)
20th March 2025, 16:51
@rbalons But who has made it at Red Bull since Verstappen jumped to the A team? Nobody. Is that down to Max’s considerable talent alone or to a ‘hostile environment’ generated by Marko and co that works to ensure he stays number one and everyone else fails? I’m not sure Hadjar’s ultimate aim should be adapting to Red Bull’s ethos anyhow, seems to be a one-way ticket to nowhere if you’re not MV.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 18:08
The drivers who didn’t make it there didn’t make it anywhere else though. They served a purpose but ultimately weren’t winners. Sainz, Gasly and Albon are solid drivers but none have them have proven to be the generational talent that Marko looks for. Marko’s view is fairly simple, put the driver against the best and see how they stack up. No one gave Ricciardo a chance in 2014 given Vettel had won 9 in a row, but he beat him. That was as much Seb’s team as this is Max’s.
Hadjar’s ambition has to be to get in the main team for next year and hope Max leaves at the end of 26 for Mercedes or Aston. It might seem a distant chance but Lawson won’t be the team leader there so Hadjar has to impress this season. Hadjar’s big question mark is his emotional control, and as I say it’s cost Yuki the big job. Marko is simply marking Hadjar’s card by pointing out this isn’t in keeping with the red bull F1 mindset. For me, Hadjar has to build the resilience otherwise he’ll end up like every other Max team-mate. Australia was an example of his emotional control not being mature enough yet, he’s only 20 I’m sure he’ll get there.
David BR (@david-br)
21st March 2025, 8:35
It’s a good question what happens if and when Verstappen leaves. I agree it could be an opportunity for Hadjar this season to show his good enough to replace MV. I do get that you genuinely think it’s in his best interest to become more resilient and some harsh criticism is helpful. Maybe the problem with Marko’s approach, though, is this reliance on one driver as a standard by which all others fall? Churning through drivers who don’t match Max – and who could? – hasn’t helped the team(s) in terms of their driver pool although it’s arguably been successful in terms of 4 WDCs. But when Max leaves, what are they left with? I really don’t know enough about Hadjar just now, but there’s a good chance to the best young drivers are elsewhere (Antonelli and Bortoleto?) anyhow.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
21st March 2025, 14:26
Perhaps, but it’s a model that has won them championships they may not have won. We can argue about whether Max really won 2021 til the cows come home but the reality is that 2 strong drivers don’t win that championship, only one generational talent. So Marko bets the house that finding the next Vettel/Max is just around the corner. How many drivers could have finished 2012 with the winning run Seb had?
Red Bull have a vicious driver program, undoubtedly. But they were cutting through the Buemis, Alguesauris, Vergnes, Kyvats at a similar rate when looking for Max. The difference with Max was he arrived ruthless and uncompromising, at a younger age than the current drivers. If Max leaves they’ll build the team around either Norris, who they’ve courted for a while, or Lindblad/Hadjar.
Isack’s focus has to be that it’ll be him and he has to show that strength now to be in the conversation. I want Hadjar to do well, but as recently as this morning we’ve seen mistakes from Norris and a low confidence Lawson. These guys suffer now because they didn’t have the pressure to change, or the experience of being serial winners in junior formulae, and time and again it shows. It can be cruel to be kind.
Chris (@austin-healey)
20th March 2025, 14:52
Agreed.
Human.
If we wanted Marko clones, we’d have an AI Sim F1 series
bull mello (@bullmello)
20th March 2025, 17:17
Well said @david-br
Hadjar is already moving past this and that is good.
MikePrice
20th March 2025, 10:26
I’d be embarassed too, to allow such a thing to impact me that hard. It tells something about the life experience of these youngsters. The emotion is not a problem but in this scenario looks petty.
Marcus (@marcusw)
20th March 2025, 11:33
You’re right, you ARE in the minority. Maybe consider why that might be.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 14:05
Is your idea of showing empathy with Hadjar to shame me?
Ideals (@ideals)
20th March 2025, 13:46
25 years ago, we watched a soon-to-be 2-time world champion break down and cry after an unforced crash on the Monza track caused him to lose a win. I took it as a mark of a winners mentality, to be so frustrated with yourself after making a simple mistake that you’re brought to tears. Only a driver that doesn’t care about their performance would be unmoved by a mistake of their own that had serious consequences.
That the 80+ year old with questionable ethics can’t fathom having any emotions other than anger, should be a surprise to nobody, but the rest of us should probably shrug and tap into our ability to be emphatic, honeslty.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 14:04
Mika cried behind a bush. He had a reasonable expectation of privacy there. He then went back to the paddock composed. I’m not saying drivers can’t be emotional, I’m saying that this is a terrible look for Hadjar and objectively embarrassing.
I think it’s quite limiting to suggest Marko is one dimensional. I’m no fan of the man but he did lose his career to disability and has admitted “falling into a dark hole” when his dreams were shattered. If anything, crying about spinning off in a race, with an opportunity to race in 6 days pales to insignificance compared to permanent blindness riddled with debt.
JackL
20th March 2025, 14:51
Disagree completely. And this is a very old school way of looking at it: Emotions are bad. People used to say that about Lewis back in his early days too, especially in 2011 when he had that rough year, but he turned out just fine. We are emotional beings. To suppress or deny that emotion is contrary to our nature. Not everyone is calm and composed like Max. Just because someone is emotional doesnt mean they wont be successful in motorsport (see Simone Biles). For Gods sake, Ferrari is all about passion and emotion, but no one says anything there.
For Marko, who is the advisor for their driver program, to make comments like that is very inappropriate. He should take a page out of the Toto/Vowles school of rookie management. Look at the way drivers have blossomed under their guidance. Some drivers are more emotional, some arent. Its not a predictor of success or has any bearing on it. Its simply that, emotions. The kid will reign it in with time, but he needs the environment to blossom in, and the head of the program making comments like this wont help. For Hadjar, what else was he going to say? Come out and criticize Marko? Ofcourse, he’s toeing the company line.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 16:19
It old school thinking in a modern professional environment – not in a sporting one. As recently as last season we had a driver struggle to get the car off the line in multiple events admitting to being in his head and struggling with pressure, ultimately costing him the title. Emotional control is relevant in a competitive context.
Lewis’s worst season was 2011 where his emotions were all over the place. He made changes to his management team, his family involvement at races, his girlfriend and their lifestyle together. He turned out fine because he made changes due to his mistakes. As for Ferrari, they’ve won 8 (7) constructors titles in 45 years and did so with a team of cool, calculating foreigners.
I’m not disagreeing that Marko should have expressed that opinion but he was asked a question and answered it honestly. Do Vowles and Toro have a better record? Vowles persisted with a rookie who we knew wouldn’t make it then dropped him mid season, then brought in Colapinto who went on to have numerous crashes. Wolff has brought through Russell and Kimi in 13 years. Russell who is still partial to an error under pressure and Antonelli who crashed on debut in Monza and damaged the car and went out in q1 of his first race. I think both will be great drivers but it’s not a patch on Marko’s record not did he promote Ocon when he had the chance.
Hadjar said he was embarrassed by his spin in the pen after the race so it’s not like he’s been told to toe the company line.
Applebook
20th March 2025, 15:01
It’s not that Marko was especially wrong, but rather that he aired it in public against his own young driver on his first ever race. That was a pathetic move that only fans would make.
Aquila_GD
20th March 2025, 19:00
Mate, I almost feel that you dont mean this because how can you not appreciate the pain and anguish that the lad will feel. There is nothing wrong with showing emotion. As we get older we tend to avoid or hide it bit there is nothing wrong with it at all.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
20th March 2025, 19:20
I can appreciate the pain whilst acknowledging the driving error was appalling. Crashing on the way to the grid is humiliating and Hadjar is right to be embarrassed by it. As I say above, i would have been emotional in the moment too. But it continuing into the paddock, being consoled by people out with his support group made him look mentally distraught. This is a tough sport with a long season. If you’re distraught before lights out in the first race you need to recognise that is a weakness that will be exploited by rivals. That’s the ruthless nature of top level sport. He can show emotion, but the consequence of that is that he he’ll come in for criticism if he demonstrates he doesn’t have emotional control. His entire junior career has revolved around the question: does he have the mental strength to make it in F1?
Jere (@jerejj)
20th March 2025, 7:17
Only retroactively.
BasCB (@bascb)
20th March 2025, 8:24
I mean, surely Hadjar has little option but to agree with Marko if he doesn’t want to lose his drive, right.
S Arkazam
20th March 2025, 8:59
Surprisingly people are not often embarrassed about future actions. :P
baasbas
20th March 2025, 7:50
Hadjar said what nobody on these forums said: haven’t seen the footage so can’t comment
floodo1 (@floodo1)
20th March 2025, 8:01
LOL so many commenters have egg on their face now
Patrick
20th March 2025, 8:52
Surely Hadjar is barely in a position to say anything else.
S Arkazam
20th March 2025, 9:02
That would be embarrassing!
Though, I haven’t seen the footage yet.
Armchair Expert (@armchairexpert)
20th March 2025, 8:20
Every single person who posted their terrible, ageist comments about Marko HAVE TO apologize right now.
Patrick (@anunaki)
20th March 2025, 8:56
Well, a cinic could argue Hamilton’s father was eager to console him in front of the cameras and that made it emberrassing. And he might not be wrong.
Patrick (@anunaki)
20th March 2025, 8:59
embarrassing
David BR (@david-br)
20th March 2025, 9:11
@anunaki One of the dumbest comments of the day, Hadjar is no threat too Hamilton let alone his dad.
Patrick (@anunaki)
20th March 2025, 9:58
That’s not at all the point in my comment.
It’s assuming Hamilton Sr likes the attention.
David BR (@david-br)
20th March 2025, 10:51
? Even less intelligible. Anthony Hamilton clearly likes being around Formula 1 racing and close to his son and family. Doesn’t strike me as someone after public attention in the least. Did he want to show his empathy for Hadjar in public? Sure because the driver was visibly upset in public, it’s what strong parents do, you’re there for those moments when your child needs emotional support, however old and irrespective of who’s around. The fact Hadjar and his family appreciated it shows AH’s instinct at that moment was right.
Patrick (@anunaki)
20th March 2025, 11:18
Maybe it’s the language barrier or maybe we just don’t understand eachother. But I just pointed out what the cinical view on this is.
rprp
20th March 2025, 13:53
Replying to @Patrick, this really is the dumbest take. You can’t just say “I’m just pointing out what a cynic might say” and just speculate wildly.
And to top it off, suggest “And he might not be wrong”, as though it has some basis to the cynicism.
Be honest, you are the cynic and you’re trying to hind behind words to express your own personal, entirely unfounded, opinion.
Patrick (@anunaki)
20th March 2025, 16:14
It’s not my opinion at all. It was actually based on an item I saw on Viaplay where someone expressed this opinion.
It was sarcasm but maybe this gets lost in translation IDK
Different people have different views and I don’t really care at all
Craig
20th March 2025, 10:34
I don’t think he was looking for attention at all as he had absolutely no obligation or reason to do anything for Hadjar. Like most other people he could have happily stayed where he was and nothing would have been said.
I think he saw the same feed as the rest of us, realised he desperately needed picking back up again and he’d be walking past the Ferrari hospitality at that moment so decided to go console him.
rprp
20th March 2025, 13:42
Well another cynic might argue you have an agenda against Lewis Hamilton and anyone connected to him.
Why that might be is unknown, but I could throw some wild accusations around too.
Patrick (@anunaki)
20th March 2025, 16:16
Come on man, why would I even care to have an “agenda” against anyone.
That’s all in your own head I suppose.
MazdaChris (@mazdachris)
20th March 2025, 15:15
Sure. A cynic might argue that. I mean, it’d be one of the worst takes I’ve ever read.
But what’s your point here? Another cynic – and perhaps a slightly more rational one – might also argue that you are inventing a straw man of a nameless cynic through which to air your own bonkers opinions.
A cynic might argue that Hamilton Snr was doing it as an act of gamesmanship. A compassionate person might argue that he was acting out of empathy. A racist might argue that a black man has no place in the F1 paddock. A cow might argue moo. We could spend a lot of time inventing weird and wonderful arguments for people that don’t exist. But what’s your argument?
Patrick (@anunaki)
20th March 2025, 16:24
The name of the cinic is Kees van der Grint and it made me laugh.
But I get it: people assume it’s my opinion and they already know why as well.
Noted: No room for lighthearted comments
MichaelN
20th March 2025, 9:01
Laughing it off and dodging the comment, and then emphasising the gratitude and respect he has for the Hamiltons. Says it all. The dynamics here are obvious.
Anyway, time for Hadjar to do better in China. He was close in qualifying, so they speed is there. A full race will give his season the restart it needs.
MazdaChris (@mazdachris)
20th March 2025, 9:13
For him to feel embarrassed about it, really, is completely understandable and not at all surprising. But that doesn’t change the fact that criticising someone for being upset in those circumstances is toxic and potentially harmful.
What I find a bit weird is when you contrast this with the reaction to the controversy around swearing. The argument in that case appears to be that they’re human beings, they have strong emotions and we want to see the drivers expressing those emotions without any filters. That it’s unreasonable to ask the drivers to exercise a little self-governance in that circumstance. Yet many of the same people making that argument appear to also be saying that you should never see a driver getting upset and shedding tears.
If your personal belief is that men should express emotions, but that certain emotions are effectively off limits and should never be shown in public, no matter the context, then I find that to be quite a toxic attitude. There are no end of studies that demonstrate conclusively that continually repressing certain emotions rather than processing them, is extremely unhealthy and damaging to mental wellbeing.
Men get upset, men cry. It’s ok. What’s important to understand is that emotions aren’t really positive or negative – what’s important is whether they’re appropriate to the context and how you process and deal with those emotions. There is a time for stoic compartmentalisation, and a time for expression and reflection. Finding the balance is a critical part of emotional maturity and good mental health.
Marcus (@marcusw)
20th March 2025, 11:32
Well said sir! Absolutely spot on.
Patrick (@paeschli)
20th March 2025, 10:34
For something supposedly so “embarrassing”, he did great laughing it off.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
20th March 2025, 10:42
What’s embarrasing about showing a little emotion? I don’t get it …
Applebook
20th March 2025, 15:03
To someone like Marko, you are allowed only to show rage.
Edvaldo
20th March 2025, 18:49
I wouldn’t expect a 20-year-old, dreaming about being a champion, not to act tough and diminish it as if it’s nothing.
Well, he DID cry because he DID look like a fool, but what’s there to do? There’s already another race this weekend, so bury that and move on.
Marko must have felt embarrassed for himself because he supposedly has this good eye for drivers with the right mindset and strong attitudes but this one was crying at the side of the track before the lights even went out.