Whereas he fights for the Formulation 2 crown, Isack Hadjar is retaining a watchful eye on developments as Pink Bull evaluates its Formulation 1 driver line-ups.
Formally, Sergio Perez was confirmed alongside Max Verstappen on the Milton Keynes-based squad, whereas Yuki Tsunoda was introduced as staying at RB and Liam Lawson is extensively anticipated to be given a seat as he has been impressing recently as Daniel Ricciardo’s substitute.
Nevertheless, Perez has scored solely 48 factors within the final 15 grands prix in comparison with Verstappen’s 257, and his constant underperformance has led Pink Bull to pursue different avenues for the longer term – which may entail selling Lawson to the principle outfit, or a shock rent in rookie Franco Colapinto bypassing RB to hitch Verstappen in his first full F1 season.
The Pink Bull Junior Workforce’s main driver, Hadjar has been contending for the F2 title and is hoping that the scenario will pan out favourably.
“I’d say my chances are high alive, at the least,” the Frenchman tells Autosport.
“Clearly, it is simply not all the way down to me.
“There’s rather a lot occurring at RB and Pink Bull, something can occur. And clearly, I am subsequent in line. In order that’s only a reality.
Isack Hadjar, Pink Bull Racing RB20
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
“I do not know what choices they’re gonna take, however hopefully I am right here and attempting to be prepared for subsequent yr in any case.”
Hadjar’s case could also be helped by Colapinto and Oliver Bearman impressing on their F1 cameos this yr regardless of their inexperience, given he had been outperforming each of them within the feeder collection.
“It exhibits that our era is nice,” the 20-year-old claims.
“For some time, we thought that have was the principle factor, after which you may’t soar in and beat the man that has 10 years in F1 – however the truth is, you may. Should you’re quick, you are quick. So that they did good for us, displaying what the F2 grid can produce going to F1.”
But, Hadjar willingly admits he wouldn’t essentially have the ability to carry out at that very same degree on account of having little or no F1 testing expertise, regardless of his in depth use of Pink Bull’s ‘fairly shockingly near actual life’ simulator.
“I feel if I needed to soar into an F1 automotive proper now, it could be way more troublesome than it was for Ollie or Liam,” he says.
“My expertise to date in F1 has been three FP1s, and the run plans are at all times fairly restricted with laps.”
Colapinto has already scored twice for Williams, and Hadjar begrudgingly acknowledges Pink Bull is on the lookout for “a driver that’s quick, and he proves that he’s quick”, whereas keenly declaring: “I’ve been in [the Red Bull] programme for 3 years, I’m second in F2, I’m the reserve for the crew…”
A short “that’s how it’s” speaks volumes as to the teenager’s opinion concerning the Colapinto avenue.
Isack Hadjar, Pink Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing
Picture by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Hadjar now has two rounds to go within the 2024 F2 season, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, to seize the title – and most significantly persuade Pink Bull he’s deserving of a 2025 seat.
After an underwhelming maiden marketing campaign with Hitech, which he concluded solely 14th within the standings, Hadjar has claimed 4 wins to date this yr.
“I simply discovered myself way more comfy working with Campos than at the moment with Hitech,” he explains. “I had a terrific, nice season in F3 [with Hitech], actually good recollections.
“However then going into F2, working with totally different folks, I simply did not match in any respect, and simply struggled the entire yr. I had velocity at occasions. However I’ve to say I may have had a a lot, significantly better season. I made fairly a number of errors.
“So I’d say I improved rather a lot on maximizing the outcomes, maximizing the potential, and simply doing fewer errors – after which clearly the general bundle has been significantly better.”
Nevertheless, Hadjar has been hampered by a string of disappointing outcomes of late, shedding the championship lead following point-less Monza and Baku rounds – he suffered a sluggish pitstop and a sluggish begin in Italy earlier than crashing out from the Azerbaijan qualifying session, which impacted his complete weekend.
“We had a very powerful season to date, with too many downs and mechanical failures,” he concedes.
“Wanting again at my championship, I felt like each time we had an excellent weekend, we had been on the rostrum on Sunday, or profitable. In order that’s why I am actually completely satisfied about my efficiency.
“I felt I at all times maximised what I had, and that is just about how I made my factors actually on Sunday.” He’s not mistaken, having scored no fewer than 145 of his 165 factors in characteristic races.
Regardless, what if Hadjar doesn’t get that F1 seat subsequent season and must spend the yr as a reserve driver for Pink Bull’s groups?
“I imply, I’d not be okay with that, clearly, since you need to drive,” Hadjar asserts.
“But when that’s what it must be, then I’ll do it and suppose forward.”
