How Hadjar defused the Marko “embarrassing” storm

Isack Hadjar says he has spoken to Red Bull’s Helmut Marko after copping criticism for his tearful Australian Grand Prix exit, and reveals he has received further support from Lewis Hamilton.

In the wet, Hadjar spun out at Turn 2 on the Melbourne formation lap, cutting a distraught figure as he saw his debut shatter into pieces before it had even truly began. After not putting a foot wrong until that weekend, and even being disappointed at not advancing to Q3, it was a huge shock for the 20-year-old, who is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Walking back to the motorhome, Hadjar didn’t even need to take his helmet off to put his emotions on full display, from disbelief to anger to embarrassment. Hamilton’s father was the first to console him, but afterwards Red Bull advisor Marko took a dim view of what he called an “embarrassing, tearful show”.

Given the opportunity to quickly move on both with the prospect of a back-to-back weekend in Shanghai, including the first sprint format of the season, Hadjar defused the latest comments that landed Marko in hot water.

“I mean, I found it embarrassing myself,” the Frenchman said. “I had Helmut on the phone a day later, and it’s all good. I’ve known him for a few years now. I’m used to how he works.

“He was speaking German, he was reinterpreted differently. You don’t know about the body language. I didn’t see the footage, so I can’t say much. But apart from that, all the love from the fans and the people, I did not expect that at all when I binned it in the wall. So that was nice.

“On Monday I already felt quite a lot better, especially knowing that it’s a back-to-back weekend, so I’ve got to run it back quite early, not having a month to dwell on it.”

Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Team crash

Photo by: Bryn Lennon – Formula 1

Hadjar also revealed what Anthony Hamilton told him, and said one of the many supportive messages he has received since Sunday came from the Briton’s son, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

“He said it reminded him of Lewis actually parking the car at the pit entry in Shanghai [at the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix],” Hadjar said.

“It was nice moment sharing time with someone like Anthony, obviously the dad of my idol, so it was quite a special moment. And indeed, Lewis sent me a message later that day. So, really classy guys.”

Sat alongside Hadjar in the press conference, Williams driver Alex Albon has his own experiences with both Marko and debuting for Red Bull’s junior team, and he said he had been impressed by how strong the F2 runner-up had performed up until his fateful formation lap spin.

“I don’t see it so much as a so much of a setback,” the Thai driver said. “I think Isack had a fantastic start to his Formula 1 career. The pace was surprisingly strong, actually, from all the rookies for a weekend in Australia, where the track is very difficult. It’s been a good start for him. I think he’s going to be someone we’re looking out for, for the rest of the year.”

Those thoughts were echoed by Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies, who debriefed Hadjar’s debut weekend with Autosport.

“Of course, we’re trying to pick him up a little bit. He did such a perfect weekend until then and there is no way we are going to let that go into the bin just for that single event in super tricky conditions,” Mekies said. “You have seen more experienced drivers being caught out.

Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Team crash

Photo by: Kym Illman – Getty Images

“What I’m the most sorry about it is that he didn’t get the mileage that he would have needed for the sort of conditions. But full support, full attack, well regroup and prepare China the best we can.”

Both Hadjar and Mekies are keen not to dwell on the negatives and remember the positives from what had been a really promising weekend, and in following their example perhaps the focus should be more on the compassion shown by some prominent paddock members rather than the lack thereof by others.

“That was very nice. I think it’s also a testimony of how good of an impression he has made in his first days in the F1 paddock, on and off track,” Mekies said about Hamilton’s gesture, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also checking up on Hadjar.

“And on the other side, we are all old enough to know that you get these sort of days. You need to go through them, and they make you stronger.”