F2 championship hopeful endures gut-wrenching finale heartbreak

Isack Hadjar stalled on the line in the F2 feature race at the Yas Marina Circuit, all but ending his chances of claiming the championship crown.

Heading into the last race of the year the Red Bull F1 reserve driver trailed standings leader Gabriel Bortoleto by 4.5 points.

Hadjar lined up third on the grid, with his Brazilian counterpart ahead in second. However, the championship showdown was over before it began.

The 19-year-old stalled his Campos on the line, unable to get away. After being taken back into the pits his engine was restarted, but the Frenchman re-entered the race a lap down.

In the chaos and confusion, lead F2 commentator Alex Jacques mistook Hadjar’s team-mate Pepe Marti for him, incorrectly thinking he was fighting Bortoleto’s own team-mate Kush Maini for second place through the opening corners. However, it soon became clear that clear that the championship was as good as over.

Hadjar remains in the picture for a full-time seat in F1 next season. With Liam Lawson anticipated to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, the Frenchman is expected to partner Yuki Tsunoda at RB.