Isack Hadjar was especially pleased with his qualifying effort after suffering pain in a sensitive area during qualifying.
The Racing Bulls driver took seventh on the grid for the Japanese Grand Prix. However he experienced severe discomfort early in the session, particularly during Q1, where he became concerned he might be eliminated.Hadjar explained afterwards he was in pain due to the position of a seat belt strap which was holding him in place in the car. The problem surfaced during final practice earlier in the day but wasn’t solved before qualifying.
“It compromised my first run in Q1,” he told the official F1 channel. “Then it was drive-able, thankfully, on that final lap in Q1 to get through to Q2.
“But I was in pain a bit and then for the rest I could reset and just focus on driving fast and it worked.”
Hadjar reached Q3, unlike his team mate Liam Lawson, and went on to beat Lewis Hamilton to seventh on the grid. He described his final lap as “Nearly fantastic.”
“I left, like, a whole tenth in the final chicane, so quite disappointed with that, but the rest was fantastic.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Hadjar’s radio messages on his seat belt problem
Hadjar alerted his race engineer Pierre Hamelin to the problem following his first run in Q1. They tried to fix it between his two runs, but lost time as he was called at random to visit the weigh bridge:
| Hadjar | Still same issue, man. Still same issue. In the cockpit. |
| Hamelin | Charge off. Reminder, SOC toggle. |
| Hamelin | SOC toggle on. |
| Hamelin | Box, box. Push on your in-lap. |
| Hamelin | Offset forwards. |
| Hadjar | Yeah… |
| Hamelin | Okay so Liam did a 29.0, your lap time 29.2. |
| Hadjar | I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Fucking hell. |
| Hamelin | Okay we’ll try to adjust it in the garage. Keep your pace up. |
| Hadjar | I mean I just can’t focus, I have so much lap time. It’s just not drive-able. |
| Hamelin | Understood, Isack. We’ll try to reposition it in the garage. |
| Hamelin | What about the flap, Isack? |
| Hadjar | Yeah I’m happy. |
| Hamelin | Copy that. |
| Hadjar | It’s not the main issue. |
| Hamelin | Understood, we’ll help you. We will help you in the garage. We’ll do everything we can. |
| Hamelin | You’re on the bridge. |
| Hadjar | The belts are twisted, you know? |
| Hamelin | Okay, we’ll help you. |
As he headed out to begin his final run in Q1, Hadjar was dismayed to discover the problem had not been solved:
| Hadjar | If this is what ruins our qualifying, just so you know, I’m very sorry. |
| Hamelin | That’s okay I know you are doing your best on there. |
| Hadjar | Mate the issue is still here. I can’t believe it. Can’t believe it. |
| Hamelin | Copy that Isack. Sorry to hear that. Let’s try to nurse it. Try to do what you can in the back straight. |
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Despite his discomfort, Hadjar set a quick enough lap to reach Q2. His team agreed he could climb out of the car between the first two sessions in order to attempt another solution, which seemed to work:
| Hadjar | Mate it’s… I can’t believe that. |
| Hamelin | Okay do we need to jump out of the car quickly, question? |
| Hadjar | Yes |
| Hamelin | Okay, push on your way in, please, push on your way in. |
| Hadjar | Copy. |
| Hamelin | Okay. This will have to be quick, Isack. We’ll try to do something. |
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories - and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2025 Japanese Grand Prix
- McLaren has to accept upsetting either of its drivers sometimes – Stella
- Verstappen ‘can test our car, I look forward to seeing his disappointment’ – Norris
- Verstappen insists McLaren domination claim was ‘no joke’ after Piastri’s doubt
- Extra mandatory pit stop won’t create more passing at tracks like Suzuka – Sainz
- Mercedes took note of Verstappen’s out-lap tactics after stunning Suzuka pole position
baasbas
5th April 2025, 10:51
I feel bad for laughing at some of his facial expressions here and there..
But good on him, he knocked them out of the park
(referring to his lap)
(no, the laptimes !!)
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
5th April 2025, 11:32
Sounded like he was in some serious pain during Q1 but he still managed to reach Q3.
Impressive by anyone’s standards I should think.
At the end of last season, I felt very negative about this guy.
He sounded like a spoilt brat when I heard his radio in the practice session he was allowed to drive, and almost everyone was saying what a terrible person he was.
I’m delighted that he is proving my first impressions to be wrong.
He has simply shown us some genuine, honest emotions and is proving to be a fighter.
I think he is leading my “Most promising Rookie” table so far.
Leo B
5th April 2025, 12:00
Special housing incorporated into his seat may help. I believe this is a first in motor racing history.
Usually, it is a smallish problem!!
Rick Worth
5th April 2025, 13:38
Was I the only one to think the sniggering from the Sky team during Hadjar’s interview was childish? He didn’t seem to like it either. Thank the lord Naomi brought it back from the brink.
Fantastic performance in the circumstances.
OOliver
5th April 2025, 14:17
They use a 5 point harness I believe in F1. I’m thinking it must be the 5th point. Might have a pair of cracked eggs in the fridge later today.
I have an opinion
6th April 2025, 10:24
Hadjar should study Sir Lewis’ “pre-entry” rituals to mitigate these problems.