Isack Hadjar’s parents stand as the cornerstone of support behind his son’s meteoric rise to Formula One.
Highlights
- Isack Hadjar’s journey from karting at age seven to securing a full-time Formula 1 seat with Racing Bulls for 2025 highlights his impressive progression through various racing tiers, including Formula 4, Formula Regional, Formula 3, and Formula 2.
- Isack’s parents, who have backgrounds in science and academia, have been instrumental in his success. His father, Yassine, provides hands-on technical support, and his mother offers emotional and educational balance.
- In 2024, Hadjar had a standout year in Formula 2 with Campos Racing, securing four victories and eight podiums and ultimately finishing second in the championship despite a dramatic loss in the final race.
Isack Alexandre Hadjar, born September 28, 2004, in Paris to an Algerian family, has quickly risen through motorsport’s ranks to reach Formula One.
Beginning with karting at age seven, Hadjar progressed to the French F4 Championship in 2019, finishing seventh in his debut season and third in 2020.
His Formula Regional campaigns in 2021-2022 showcased his talent, with victories in Monaco and strong performances that earned him the “best rookie” title.
After joining the Red Bull Junior Team in 2022, Hadjar impressed in FIA Formula 3, winning three races and finishing fourth overall.
Hadjar’s Formula 2 career began with Hitech in 2023, where he finished 14th despite showing promise.
His breakthrough came in 2024 with Campos Racing, where he earned four victories and eight podiums, battling Gabriel Bortoleto for the championship until the finale in Abu Dhabi.
Despite a heartbreaking stall at the start of the final race that cost him the title, Hadjar finished an impressive second overall.
Nicknamed “le Petit Prost” by French media, Hadjar participated in several F1 practice sessions with Red Bull and AlphaTauri before securing a full-time seat with Racing Bulls for 2025, partnering with Yuki Tsunoda.
The Influence of Isack Hadjar’s Parents On His Formula 1 Journey and Success
The parents of Isack Hadjar have played instrumental roles in his journey to Formula One.
As an R&D Senior Scientist at UTT in the Greater Paris Metropolitan Region, his father, Yassine Hadjar’s professional background presents a fascinating contrast to the world of motorsport, where his son now competes.
With a PhD in Quantum physics from UPMC-ENS Paris and nearly two decades of experience developing innovative photonic devices and optical sensors, Yassine’s scientific career is impressive in its own right.
Before joining UTT in 2005, he worked as a senior scientist at Corning from 2001-2004, focusing on fiber optics and laser systems.
Despite his deep roots in academia and research, Yassine harbored a passion for Formula One that he shared with his young son.
This seemingly casual interest would ultimately shape Isack’s future in profound ways.
When six-year-old Isack began watching F1 races with his father, a spark was ignited that would transform into a full-fledged racing career. Isack has explained,
“My parents are mainly doctors or physicists so they have nothing to do with motorsport but my dad always watched F1.”
Redbull
This simple shared activity between a parent and a child laid the groundwork for what was to come.
When Isack expressed interest in go-karting at age seven, Yassine and his wife didn’t hesitate to support their son’s newfound passion.
Yassine went beyond mere financial backing, serving as Isack’s kart mechanic during his formative years in motorsport.
This hands-on technical support provided Isack with invaluable knowledge and a competitive edge from the very beginning.
As Isack progressed from karting to Formula 4, Formula Regional, Formula 3, and eventually Formula 2, Yassine remained deeply involved in his son’s career.
Isack’s mother, though less documented in public sources, shares the family’s scientific background.
Coming from the same lineage of physicians and physicists that characterize the Hadjar family, she initially had reservations about the dangers of motorsport.
However, her support soon became unwavering, providing the emotional foundation Isack needed to pursue his dreams.
While Yassine handled the technical aspects of Isack’s racing development, Mrs. Hadjar focused on ensuring her son maintained balance in his life and education.
Together, they navigated the financial and logistical challenges of supporting a young driver’s career, from securing sponsorships to managing international travel for competitions. Isack has acknowledged,
“My parents are the people who helped me the most during my career by far, as they gave me everything to succeed from the early stages to now, by finding sponsors and people who could help in our project. I basically owe them everything.”
Redbull
The Hadjars’ scientific background has influenced Isack’s analytical approach to racing, while their multicultural heritage—with Algerian roots and French nationality—has shaped his identity as he represents both nations on the global stage.
Additional Information
- Isack’s passion for motorsport was initially sparked by the animated film “Cars,” rather than from watching actual racing.
- Despite the challenging nature of the track, Isack considers Degner 1 at Suzuka his favorite corner in all of racing. He specifically appreciates this high-speed 90-degree turn because any mistake leads directly to the wall.
- Isack experienced a memorable debut in Formula One when he couldn’t even start his first race. After qualifying 11th at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, he spun during the formation lap and was unable to take the start. In a touching moment of sportsmanship, Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony, consoled the disappointed rookie as he walked back to the paddock.
