£800k-a-year driver once admitted that the level of F1 was ‘too high’ for him, ‘I’m not making it’

The 2025 Formula 1 season saw six rookies join the grid. Each of them have had varying levels of success from the opening 10 races.

Two of them have already felt the brutality of being at the pinnacle of motorsport, having lost their seats with little time to adjust. Jack Doohan was replaced by Franco Colapinto at Alpine after he failed to score points in the first six events, costing the team heavily in crash damages.

Liam Lawson was dropped by Red Bull even earlier, as he could not get out of Q1 in the opening two races. The Kiwi driver has stayed on the grid, however, as he returns to Racing Bulls to rebuild his confidence.

Gabriel Bortoleto is still yet to score for Sauber, but the Brazilian has been impressive in qualifying and has run closely to his experienced teammate. Oliver Bearman has six points to his name at Haas, having not scored since Bahrain.

Kimi Antonelli grabbed his first F1 podium at the Canadian GP for Mercedes. The Italian took a huge weight off his shoulders after a torrid European triple header to finish P3.

But perhaps the most impressive rookie of 2025 has been Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, who has caught everyone’s attention since Red Bull gave him a chance with their junior team. The Frenchman has had to fight many inner demons to get to where he is now.

Isack Hadjar admits he once felt the level was ‘too high’ for him in F1

Hadjar had many doubters when he arrived in F1. He had just lost the F2 title to Bortoleto, with some believing he was not ready to make the step up.

Initially, those doubters were proved right when Hadjar crashed on the formation lap of his F1 debut in Melbourne. But since then, the 20-year-old has displayed remarkable consistency as he sits 10th in the standings with 21 points.

But amidst his great form at Racing Bulls, Hadjar has admitted he was having many doubts about his career himself. Speaking on Beyond The Grid, he says that he once felt the level of F1 was ‘too high’ for him.

“For me, Melbourne was a hit, but not bigger than all the ones I’ve had through karting to Formula 1, so I’m used to that,” said Hadjar.

“Even Abu Dhabi’s not that tough. There’s been so many moments in my career since [I was] very young where I’m realising I’m not making it to Formula 1, the level is too high. I’ve doubted myself so many times.

“I’d like to say [I’m] more passionate about racing than any other driver. That’s what I would like to think, maybe it’s not true. I think it’s the only reason.”

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

Isack Hadjar is now being tipped for a Red Bull seat in 2026 – but is he ready for it?

Hadjar says Helmut Marko saved him from a ‘nightmare’ in F2 as he kept faith in him after a disappointing debut campaign. His relationship with the Red Bull chief advisor has gone a long way in helping him perform in F1.

Only Marko expected Hadjar’s ‘extraordinary’ start to 2025, says Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies. He has been dominating Lawson since he stepped back down to the Faenza outfit.

Hadjar is displaying ‘ferocious intelligence’ at Racing Bulls, which has caught the attention of Christian Horner. With Yuki Tsunoda struggling in the RB21, Hadjar is being tipped to race for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen in 2026.

But as Lawson, Tsunoda and many predecessors before them have proven, the second Red Bull seat is incredibly difficult to handle. Hadjar could well be the next to struggle if he makes the step up too soon.

Franck Montagny has begged Red Bull to leave Hadjar alone and keep him at Racing Bulls to develop properly. But as 2026 looms, Red Bull may be ‘forced’ to promote Hadjar if Tsunoda continues to struggle.