System 1 rookie Isack Hadjar has stated his maiden podium felt “unreal” after claiming third for Racing Bulls on the Dutch Grand Prix.
Hadjar certified a stellar fourth in Zandvoort on Saturday and appeared set to remain there after a properly managed race, shadowing Pink Bull's Max Verstappen each step of the way in which.
However Lando Norris' dramatic retirement with seven laps remaining elevated each drivers to second and third respectively, with Hadjar rewarding himself for his excellent rookie kind with a maiden podium spot.
“Oh my god,” a jubilant Hadjar yelled over workforce radio. “What have we achieved? The tempo was unreal. We're on the rostrum, I can not consider it!”
After leaping into the arms of his Racing Bulls mechanics, he added: “What was most shocking for me is preserving that fourth place for the entire race. Sadly for Lando, we took benefit however we made no mistake.
“The automobile was on rails the entire weekend and I am actually completely happy about myself, as a result of I actually maximised what I had. Made no errors and introduced residence the rostrum, so I am so completely happy for my guys.”
Isack Hadjar
Picture by: Mark Thompson – Getty Photos
The 20-year-old Parisian, who's now tenth within the championship, added: “That was all the time the goal since I used to be a child. This is step one, my first podium, and hopefully way more [will follow].”
Hadjar has additional underlined his credentials as a candidate to hitch Verstappen at Pink Bull Racing in 2026, with the workforce repeatedly evaluating the Frenchman in addition to incumbent Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson forward of an anticipated choice in direction of the top of the season.
Tsunoda solely completed ninth in Zandvoort regardless of a flurry of retirements and mishaps, whereas Lawson disappeared from level scoring contenting after a collision with Carlos Sainz.
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