Doha, Qatar: Formula 1 rookie Isack Hadjar says racing in Qatar feels “a bit like a home Grand Prix” for him, as the French-born driver continues to enjoy a breakthrough debut season that already includes a podium finish.
Speaking ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Qatar, the penultimate round of the 2025 season and the final stretch of the Middle Eastern contests, the Racing Bulls driver said Qatar and the region have become special to him both personally and professionally.
“There’s no French Grand Prix, so this is a bit like the home race for me,” Hadjar said in reply to a query by The Peninsula in a chat with media yesterday. “My parents always come to these places with me. They usually don’t come to races far away, but when it’s the Middle East, they are here. It’s nice,” the 21-year-old said.
Hadjar has visited Qatar “four or five times” for racing, football and training camps, and says the country has become one of his favourite stops on the calendar. “I like Qatar. They have the best training facilities. The racetrack is nice. Food is good. The weather is a bit hot, but perfect. The country is very advanced,” Hadjar said.
Racing Bulls' French driver Isack Hadjar. AFP
The 20-year-old, who made history this season as the first Arab driver to race in Formula 1, said the emotional connection to the region comes naturally. Born and raised in Paris but proud of his “Algerian, Syrian and Moroccan roots”, Hadjar said competing in front of Middle Eastern fans carries extra meaning.
“It’s a region where I feel very comfortable,” Jadjar said. Jadjar’s rise through the ranks on the racing track has been phenomenal. The Red Bull Junior graduate was the final driver announced for the 2025 grid, but his maiden F1 campaign has already delivered one of the season’s standout moments: a podium finish.
Hadjar racked up the podium spot at the Dutch Grand Prix in August, finishing third behind race winner Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.
“The podium came a lot earlier than I anticipated,” Hadjar, who has made his team proud, said.“It feels weird to think I’m already an F1 podium finisher when I’ve just started my career. To be in a position where I already have my podium is massive.
”Hadjar described those early months in Formula 1 as “pretty surreal,” but says the pace of adaptation has been quick.
“Now it’s been nearly a year, and you’re already used to it,” he said. “But there are moments where you look back at your journey in go-karts and think, okay, I’ve actually made it to the highest level and I’m doing really well.”
With two races remaining, the Racing Bulls rookie sits ninth in the Drivers’ Standings on 51 points, with 10 top-10 finishes, including a sixth place in Las Vegas last week. Hadjar hopes his success brings more young fans from North Africa and the Middle East into the sport.
“It’s good that kids watching Formula 1 in this region have a bigger interest now. There are a lot of opportunities to race nowadays. You should just go ahead and find it.” With his first podium secured and his confidence rising, Hadjar says the focus will be on hard work, consistency and steady progress.
“Next year there’s a lot to expect because you don’t know what you’re going to get,” he said. “You’ve just got to focus on yourself,” Hadjar, who will take part in the practice sessions and sprint qualifying today at the Lusail International Circuit tomorrow, said. Saturday, November 29, brings the high-intensity F1 Sprint Race
before Sunday’s 57-lap main event as Hadjar seeks to impress in front of his “home fans.”
