Isack Hadjar reveals the most important thing he learned from watching Lewis Hamilton growing up

Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has been the biggest revelation on the Formula 1 grid this season.

When people were discussing which out of the six full-time F1 rookies was going to make the largest impact in 2025, very few said Isack Hadjar.

Racing Bulls were the final team to confirm their driver line-up after Red Bull’s late decision to part ways with Sergio Perez.

This created a chain reaction that saw Liam Lawson promoted into his seat and Hadjar filling the vacant position.

The Frenchman finished runner-up in Formula 2 to Gabriel Bortoleto in 2024, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman arrived with far more fanfare.

However, Damon Hill admitted he was surprised by Hadjar, summing up how many people in the paddock feel after the first nine races of the season.

Hadjar struck up a relationship with Lewis Hamilton and it was the seven-time world champion’s father who comforted him after his formation lap crash on his Formula 1 debut in Australia.

The Frenchman was born in 2004, meaning he was only three years old when Lewis Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren.

Now, he’s revealed the most important thing he learned from watching the seven-time world champion on television growing up.

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

Isack Hadjar shares Lewis Hamilton memories from growing up as a Formula 1 fan

Hadjar was being interviewed by Mundo Deportivo during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend and was asked about his relationship with Hamilton.

He said: “It’s always nice to run with him, to spend time with him.

“Sometimes talking to him is great because he’s someone I’ve supported since I was very young.

“And now being with him is… meeting his dad is also… it’s great, we get along well. Obviously, there’s a big age gap. There’s a lot of respect.”

The 22-year-old was then asked if Hamilton had given him any advice and he continued: “He doesn’t give me much either because we’re still rivals.

“If I need advice, I ask, but I don’t need help. I don’t like asking for help. I like to learn on my own.”

The Spanish website wondered if Hadjar had learned anything from watching fellow veteran Fernando Alonso and Hadjar responded: “I think growing up, I was more of a fan of Hamilton’s driving style.

“His management of the race on Saturday when he was at Mercedes. I wasn’t watching the Grand Prix, I was just putting Lewis’s onboard camera and watching the race.

“I’ve learned a lot from him.”

For Formula 1 fans of a certain vintage, hearing Hadjar learned the most from Hamilton’s spell at Mercedes – five years after his debut with McLaren – will only emphasise how young the new crop of rookies really is.

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Isack Hadjar already being discussed as Red Bull’s next Formula 1 driver

Hadjar only has nine Grand Prix entries, and technically eight starts, to his name, but that hasn’t stopped speculation starting over his future.

Red Bull continue to have problems finding a suitable driver to fill their second seat alongside Max Verstappen.

Yuki Tsunoda’s struggles carried on in Spain, and Liam Lawson has already had his shot in Red Bull’s second car.

Hadjar is now the ‘hottest candidate’ to replace Tsunoda in the future but whether he’s ready for that step up is another matter.

David Croft has warned Hadjar against an early promotion but Red Bull may feel they have no choice but to give one of the most in-form drivers on the grid that opportunity.